Sekondi-Takoradi | |
|---|---|
 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-Takoradiharbour withintermodal containers andprivate housing estates. | |
| Etymology:Old Prussian:Secundis ("Second"),Takoradi (combination of "taccarada" or "Taccarary" and "ntakor") | |
| Nickname: Oil City | |
  Sekondi-Takoradi Sekondi-Takoradi (Africa) Show map of Africa | |
| Coordinates:04°55′00″N01°46′00″W / 4.91667°N 1.76667°W /4.91667; -1.76667 | |
| Country |  Ghana |
| Region | Western Region |
| District | Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan |
| Merged | 1946 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| • Municipal chief | Hon. Abdul-Mumin Issah |
| Elevation | 10 m (30 ft) |
| Population | |
• Total | 104,847 |
| • Ethnicities | |
| • Religions |
|
| Time zone | UTC+0 (GMT) |
| Postal codes | WS000-WS792 |
| Area code | 031 |
| Climate | Aw |
| Website | stma.gov.gh |
Sekondi-Takoradi (/səˈkənˈdɪtɑːˈkəˈrɑːˈdi/seh-kon-DEE tar-ku-wh-DEE)[4] is a city inGhana comprising thetwin cities of Sekondi and Takoradi.[5]: 4 [6] It is the capital ofSekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan District and theWestern Region ofGhana.[3]: 2 Sekondi-Takoradi is the region's largest city as well as anindustrial and commercial center with a population of 245,382 people, according to the 2021 census.[2][7] Since 2021 themayor of the city and the metropolitan area has been Abdul-Mumin Issah.[1] Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah is the current member of parliament for Takoradi and Armah Blay Nyameke for Sekondi.[8]
Both cities grew from Dutch and English forts built around the 17th century.[5]: 2 After a railway and adeepwaterseaport was built in Sekondi and Takoradi in 1903 and 1928, both cities became important economic sectors in Ghana. They merged in 1946.[5]: 6, 8, 4
Leading industries in the city aretimber,cocoa processing,plywood,shipbuilding, itsharbour and railway repair, and recently,sweet crude oil andcrude oil. The most common occupation in Sekondi-Takoradi isfishing.[9] Sekondi-Takoradi lies on the mainrailway lines toKumasi.[3][10][5]
Sekondi is a name derived from theOld Prussian word "Taccarary", which meant "second" after the settlement was chosen as the second location for a shallow water harbour.[12] The origins ofTakoradi is conflicted but in one account it is a combination of thePortuguese word "taccarada" or "Taccarary" (Old Prussian) and anAhanta word "ntakor".[13][5]: 2
Sekondi, the older and larger of the two towns, was the site ofFort Orange,Fort Witsen, andFort Sekondi, all built in the 17th century by theDutch. During this time, there was a hugeBritish andDutch influence in the town to the point where there was two political divisions: “Dutch Sekondi”and “British Sekondi”. Both collapsed after the Dutch left in 1872.[5]: 3 The town prospered from a railroad built in 1903 to transportmineral and timber resources from thehinterland. In 1928, Ghana's firstdeepwaterseaport was built in Takoradi.[9][14][5]: 4
DuringWorld War II,RAF Takoradi was an important staging point forBritish aircraft destined forEgypt.Spitfire fighter planes were shipped in crates fromEngland to Takoradi where they were assembled and then flown viaNigeria andSudan toLibya.26 Squadron SAAF was also based in Takoradi during the conflict, flying anti-submarine and convoy protection patrols over theAtlantic.[15] SomeSouth African airmen are buried in theTakoradi European Public cemetery.[16]
Both cities amalgamated on 2 December 1946.[17]: para. 1.2 On 20 November 1969, the city became the seat of theRoman Catholic Diocese of Sekondi–Takoradi.[18]
The city is an important commercial center in Ghana with anindustrialized economy. Its location on the coast makes it an essential hub for fishing and trading activities. TheAlbert Bosomtwi-Sam Fishing Harbour, located in Sekondi. It is one of the largest fishing ports in the region.[19] Historically it was a center for the timber and cocoa industries as these resources were transported into the city for export. TheTakoradi Harbour and theTakoradi Market Circle are also an important sector in the city's economy. The discovery of oil in the region in 2010 have resulted in Sekondi-Takoradi to be known as the "Oil City".[20][14][21]
The city has amayor–council form of government. The mayor (executive chief) is appointed by thepresident of Ghana and approved by the town council, theSekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly. The current mayor as of 2021 is Hon. Abdul-Mumin Issah.[1]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 143,982 | — |
| 1984 | 188,203 | +30.7% |
| 2000 | 260,651 | +38.5% |
| 2010 | 167,713 | −35.7% |
| 2021 | 104,837 | −37.5% |
| Source: Ghana Statistical Service.[a] | ||
The population of Sekondi-Takoradi is 245,382 people,[2] a -37.5% difference from the last census.[23] Close to all of Sekondi-Takoradi's population is Christian from which 34.7% are Pentecostal/Charismatic, 25.6% are Protestant, and 14.3% are Catholic with the remaining 11.8% comprising numerous minor denominations. About 9% of the population are Muslim, 3.5% identified as non-religious and 0.2% practicetraditional African religions while the remaining 0.6% practice other religions.[3]: 34 The major ethnic group found in the city are theFante followed by theAhanta,Nzema, andWassa people.[3]: 4
Sekondi-Takoradi is located in theSekondi Takoradi Metropolitan, which covers a land area of 191.7 km2 (74.0 sq mi). Themetropolitan bordered theAhanta West District to the west, theShama District towards the east, theWassa East District to the north and theGulf of Guinea towards the south.[3]: 2
Sekondi-Takoradi has atropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification:Aw), where it experiences a wet and dry season and the temperature being hot year-round. The average annual high is 28 °C (82 °F) while the average annual low is 22.2 °C (72.0 °F). The hottest time of year is from January to May, around the time the wet season begins.
The city receives a total amount of 126 mm (5.0 in) of rainfall throughout the year, with a distinct wet and dry season. The dry season is short, spanning from December to March while the wet season is between May and June. June, the wettest month, receives on average 346 mm (13.6 in). The relative humidity in the city is small and also erratic at times due to influence of sea and land breezes. The highest humidity is experienced in August after the rainy season and is the lowest in December.[24]
Based on a 2017 study, Sekondi-Takoradi and the metro as a whole is prone to flooding due to its proximity to the Anankwari, Kansawura and Whin rivers. In 2009 and 2011, more than one thousand people went homeless after heavy rainfall caused the rivers to overflow their banks to the neighbouring communities.[25]
| 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) |
| Mean daily maximum °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) |
| Mean daily minimum °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 |
| Averagerelative humidity (%) | 86 | 85 | 83 | 84 | 84 | 86 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 87 | 86 | 85 | 86 |
| Mean monthlysunshine 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 dailysunshine 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[26] | |||||||||||||
Sekondi is well-connected to other parts ofGhana and neighboring countries through a network of roads and railways. The city's port is a vital transportation hub, with several shipping lines providing regular services to otherWest African countries andEurope. TheTakoradi Airport (TDI), located about 5 km from Sekondi, provides air transportation to other parts ofGhana and international destinations. There are public transport connections from Takoradi to major cities such asAccra;Kumasi;Mim;Cape Coast;Sunyani;Tamale;Tema;Ho;Wa;Bolgatanga;Elubo;Aflao; andTechiman.[5]: 3, 4
Sekondi-Takoradi has a rich cultural heritage, and the city is home to several landmarks and tourist attractions.Fort Sekondi and the local railway museum are some notable structures originated from the colonial era. The city also have notablenightlife, with several pubs, restaurants and clubs popping out all across the city. Many annualfestivals are celebrated in the city, including theAnkos Festival and theKundum Festival.[27][28]
On 5 June 2024, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Western Regional Minister, commissioned a 60-bed capacitypolyclinic inNew Takoradi, an upgrade from the original facility which was a CHPS compound.[b][31]
The city has several secondary schools, colleges, and special schools.[32] This is a list ofsenior high schools,colleges, anduniversities in the city:[32]
Takoradi Technical Institute houses afab lab, equipped by theMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which is the first of its kind in Africa.[32] The Western Regional Library was established in Sekondi in 1955.[33]
Sekondi-Takoradi is home to two stadiums,Essipong Stadium andGyandu Park. Notable sports teams based in the city areFC Takoradi,Sekondi Hasaacas, andSekondi Wise Fighters.[34]
There are about 114 internet service providers operating in the city along with over 150FM radio stations and 20 TV stations in the city. All of these services help with inter-communication around the residents.[5]: 8
The following shows the cities Sekondi-Takoradi istwined with:
| Country | City | County / district / region / state | Date[c] | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Italy |  Palermo |  Sicily | 2021 | [35] |
 USA |  Boston |  Suffolk,Massachusetts | 2001 | [36] |
| USA |  Oakland |  Alameda county,California | 1975 | [37] |
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link)...CHPS is a national mechanism to deliver essential community based health services involving planning and service delivery with the communities...
Media from Commons
Travel information from Wikivoyage
Data from Wikidata
Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Sekondi".Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.Places adjacent to Sekondi-Takoradi | ||||||||||||||||
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