Sekondi-Takoradi

Sekondi-Takoradi is a city in Ghana comprising the twin cities of Sekondi and Takoradi.[2] It is the capital of Sekondi – Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly and the Western Region of Ghana. Sekondi-Takoradi is the region's largest city and an industrial and commercial centre, with a population of 445,205 people (2012).[1] The chief industries in Sekondi-Takoradi are timber, cocoa processing, plywood, shipbuilding, its harbour and railway repair, and recently, sweet crude oil and crude oil. The fundamental job in Sekondi-Takoradi is fishing.[3] Sekondi-Takoradi lies on the main railway lines to Kumasi and Accra.

Sekondi-Takoradi
City of Sekondi-Takoradi
City
Top left picture: Arterial road and highway with the Sekondi-Takoradi Stadium, First top right picture: Shoreline of Sekondi-Takoradi, Second top right picture: Railway station of Sekondi-Takoradi, Bottom picture: Sekondi-Takoradi harbour with intermodal containers and private housing estates.
Logo of the City Metropolitan Assembly
Sekondi-Takoradi
Location of Sekondi-Takoradi in Western Region, Ghana
Coordinates: 04°55′00″N 01°46′00″W
CountryGhana
Admin. RegionWestern Region
DistrictSekondi Takoradi Metropolitan
Elevation
10 m (30 ft)
Population
 (2012)
 • Total445,205[1]
Time zoneUTC+0 (GMT)
Postal codes
WS000-WS792
Area code031
Websitewww.stma.gov.gh

History
The Desert Air Force, 1943; Royal Air Force (RAF) airmen in tropical dress work on the Allison V-1710 Aircraft engine of a Tomahawk aircraft in a makeshift hangar. The photograph is believed to have been taken at RAF Takoradi.

Sekondi, an older and larger Ahanta town, was the site of Dutch Fort Orange (1642) and English Fort Sekondi (1682). It prospered from a railroad built in 1903 to hinterland mineral and timber resources. Takoradi, also an Ahanta town, was the site of Dutch Fort Witsen (1665) and has an important deepwater seaport, Ghana's first, built in 1928.[3][4]

During World War II, RAF Takoradi was an important staging point for British aircraft destined for Egypt.[5] Spitfire fighter planes were shipped in crates from England to Takoradi where they were assembled then flown via Nigeria and Sudan to the war in Libya. 26 Squadron SAAF was also based in Takoradi during World War II, flying anti-submarine and convoy protection patrols over the Atlantic. A number of South African airmen are buried in the Takoradi European Public cemetery.[6]

The cities combined in 1946. On 20 November 1969, the city became the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sekondi–Takoradi.

The city is currently named (although not officially) as the Oil City of Ghana due to the massive discovery of oil in the Western region and has attracted massive migration from people all around the world.[7] For example, of the 248,680 people in the Sekondi-Takoradi metro area in 2010, some 148,000, or well above half, were indigenous Ahanta people, 30,000 came from the central region of Ghana, 60,000 are from other regions of Ghana and 10,000 are foreign nationals.[8]

Demographics

Sekondi-Takoradi's population is overwhelmingly Christian. 35% of the region are Pentecostal/Charismatic, 26% are Protestant and 14% are Catholic with the remaining 12% comprising numerous minor denominations. 9% of the population are Muslim, 3.5% identify as non religious and 0.2% practice traditional African religions The major ethnic group found in Sekondi are the Ahanta people.[9]

Economy

Takoradi houses the Harbour and has timber, energy and technology industries. Over the years it has attracted a good number of investors, including miners, as the city is close to the mining towns in the western part of Ghana.[4] Ghana's recent discovery of oil gave the Sekondi-Takoradi township to be known as the Oil City.

Transportation

There are public transport connections from Takoradi to major cities such as Accra; Kumasi; Mim; Cape Coast; Sunyani; Tamale; Tema; Ho; Wa; Bolgatanga; Elubo; Aflao; and Techiman.

Tourist attractions

Sekondi-Takoradi has plenty of beaches, however they are not a major tourist attraction. Many of the beaches are found to the west of Takoradi, with small resorts such as Fanta's Folly, The Hideout, and Green Turtle Lodge with larger ones such as Busua Beach,[3] Lou Moon Lodge and Axim Beach Resort and also amazing places to eat such as Scoops Bar, Paragon Bar and Grill. It also has an annual street carnival, which is popular with tourists.[10] There is also the village of Nzulezu (village on water) which is a popular tourist site, in the Western Region.[11]

Education

Sekondi-Takoradi city has several secondary schools, colleges, and special schools, ranging from single-sex to coeducational institutions. Among the tertiary institutions are: Takoradi Technical University (a public institution), Nurses and Midwifery Training College, Holy Child Teachers Training College (now a College of Education).[12] The Sekondi-Takoradi city currently has several secondary schools and Special schools, ranging from single-sex to coeducational institutions. These include:

  • St. John's School (The Saints)
St. John's School, Sekondi
  • Ghana Senior High Technical School (GSTS)
  • Baidoo Bonsoe Senior High Technical School (BBSTS)
  • St Mary's Boys Senior High School
  • Takoradi Secondary School (Tadisco)
  • Methodist senior high school ( The Young legend)
  • Sekondi College (Sekco)
  • Ahantaman Senior High School
  • Fijai Secondary School
  • Adiembra Secondary School
  • Bompeh senior high technical school
  • Archbishop Porter Girls Secondary School and many others.[12]

Takoradi Technical Institute houses a fab lab, equipped by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which is the first of its kind in Africa.[12]

Takoradi has a well-equipped technical training centre (Takoradi Technical Institute, TTI, 1,400 students in two shifts) assisted by the German government through GTZ/GOPA. Apart from TTI, Takoradi has a polytechnic and other renowned secondary schools including Ghana Secondary Technical School, St. Mary Secondary School, Bompeh Secondary School, Takoradi Secondary School and many others. Sekondi-Takoradi has many internet cafés and computer training centres to encourage familiarity with computers and acquire computer skills.

The Western Regional Library was established in Sekondi in 1955.[13]

Stadiums and sports
Sekondi-Takoradi Stadium
Interior design of Sekondi-Takoradi Stadium

Stadiums
  • Essipong Stadium
  • Gyandu Park

Sports

Professional sports teams based in Sekondi-Takoradi include:

  • FC Takoradi
  • Sekondi Hasaacas
  • Sekondi Wise Fighters

Institutions

Climate

Sekondi-Takoradi has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification: Aw).

Climate data for Sekondi-Takoradi
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 35.0
(95.0)		 35.5
(95.9)		 35.0
(95.0)		 34.6
(94.3)		 34.6
(94.3)		 32.3
(90.1)		 31.8
(89.2)		 30.4
(86.7)		 31.2
(88.2)		 32.0
(89.6)		 34.5
(94.1)		 34.2
(93.6)		 35.5
(95.9)
Average high °C (°F) 30.4
(86.7)		 31.0
(87.8)		 31.3
(88.3)		 31.1
(88.0)		 30.2
(86.4)		 28.4
(83.1)		 27.3
(81.1)		 26.8
(80.2)		 27.6
(81.7)		 28.8
(83.8)		 30.0
(86.0)		 30.3
(86.5)		 29.4
(84.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 26.2
(79.2)		 26.9
(80.4)		 27.2
(81.0)		 27.2
(81.0)		 26.7
(80.1)		 25.6
(78.1)		 24.8
(76.6)		 24.1
(75.4)		 24.6
(76.3)		 25.5
(77.9)		 26.2
(79.2)		 26.2
(79.2)		 26.0
(78.8)
Average low °C (°F) 21.8
(71.2)		 22.6
(72.7)		 23.1
(73.6)		 23.2
(73.8)		 23.1
(73.6)		 22.8
(73.0)		 21.8
(71.2)		 21.1
(70.0)		 21.7
(71.1)		 22.1
(71.8)		 22.2
(72.0)		 22.1
(71.8)		 22.3
(72.1)
Record low °C (°F) 16.1
(61.0)		 18.3
(64.9)		 20.6
(69.1)		 20.6
(69.1)		 20.0
(68.0)		 19.4
(66.9)		 17.2
(63.0)		 16.1
(61.0)		 17.8
(64.0)		 18.9
(66.0)		 18.9
(66.0)		 16.1
(61.0)		 16.1
(61.0)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 31
(1.2)		 35
(1.4)		 79
(3.1)		 115
(4.5)		 250
(9.8)		 346
(13.6)		 120
(4.7)		 43
(1.7)		 57
(2.2)		 138
(5.4)		 77
(3.0)		 31
(1.2)		 1,322
(51.8)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.3 mm) 3 4 7 10 17 19 13 11 13 14 10 5 126
Average relative humidity (%) 86 85 83 84 84 86 87 87 87 87 86 85 86
Mean monthly sunshine hours 207.7 209.1 229.4 216.0 192.2 132.0 148.8 133.3 126.0 195.3 243.0 229.4 2,262.2
Mean daily sunshine hours 6.7 7.4 7.4 7.2 6.2 4.4 4.8 4.3 4.2 6.3 8.1 7.4 6.2
Source: Deutscher Wetterdienst[15]

Sister cities
Sekondi-Takoradi in pictures
  • Virgin Island in Sekondi-Takoradi.
  • Beach on Virgin Island in Sekondi-Takoradi.
  • Aerial view of Takoradi Harbour.
  • Sekondi-Takoradi Stadium at night.
  • Aerial view of the Sekondi-Takoradi Shores.
  • Highway in Sekondi-Takoradi.
  • Commuters on street in Sekondi-Takoradi.
  • Takoradi Airport (Sekondi-Takoradi Airport).
  • A house in Takoradi (Sekondi-Takoradi).

See also
  • Takoradi Airport
  • Takoradi Harbour
  • Market Circle, Takoradi
  • Railway stations in Ghana
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sekondi-Takoradi.

References
  1. "World Gazetteer online". World-gazetteer.com. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  2. "Betway extends support to Volleyball Teams in the Western and Western North Regions". Citi Sports Online. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  3. "Private Tutor". Infoplease.com. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  4. "Takoradi Port", Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority. Archived 31 December 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Nancy Lawler (2002). Soldiers, Airmen, Spies, and Whisperers: The Gold Coast in World War II. Ohio University Press. ISBN 9780821414309. Retrieved 8 February 2014 – via BiblioVault.
  6. "South Africa War Graves Project". Southafricawargraves.org. 8 October 2011. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  7. Obeng-Odoom F., 2014, Oiling the Urban Economy: Land, Labour, Capital, and the State in Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana, Routledge, London.
  8. Stats Ghana report on Sekondi-Takoradi population
  9. Ghana Statistical Service report on Sekondi-Takoradi
  10. "Sekondi-Takoradi Masqueraders Street Carnival". CNN iReport. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  11. Darko, Kwaku. "30 magical pictures of Nzulezu that will make you want to visit". OMGVoice. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  12. Archived 25 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  13. World Guide to Libraries (25th ed.), De Gruyter Saur, 2011, ISBN 9783110230710
  14. Starrfm.com.gh (15 July 2021). "Tarkwa: Awudua Gyaasehene reportedly kidnapped – Starr Fm". Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  15. "Klimatafel von Takoradi (Sekondi-Takoradi) / Ghana" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961-1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 18 October 2016.

Afrosages.com, Tourist Destinations Of Western Ghana, January 13, 2020

Wildcat Beauty, Cosmetics & More, Market Circle (behind Bank of Africa(, Takoradi, Ghana

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