Sekondi-Takoradi - Twin City in the West

In 1946 the two adjacent towns of Sekondi and Takoradi were merged into one city that since then also bears its dual name. It is the capital of the Western Region and at the same time the third largest city in Ghana with about 450,000 inhabitants. On me personally, this twin city has never made the greatest impression and, especially during my stays, served primarily as a transit stadium to the previously presented places deep in the west. The importance for Ghana as a whole is nevertheless great and has grown especially during the 20th century.
Economic aspects were decisive for this. In the early years of the 20th century, a railway line was built from Sekondi to the heart of the Ashanti region and thus to the important mining areas of gold and wood, which was to be shipped here on the coast. At that time Takoradi (still under the name Amanful) was a small fishing village, but with connection to the railway line in Sekondi, the first deep-water port of Ghana was built at this place and thus an important economic area was created here, followed by an airport soon after also and has maintained its economic importance to this day.
The beaches which are also pronounced in the urban area and the mouth of the remarkable river Pra into the Atlantic Ocean, where the so-called Virgin Island has developed, are particularly interesting. Apart from a few fishermen who try their luck here you will find absolute peace and silence. For relaxed sunsets the corner is only recommended. In the city itself our short stays have mainly used to familiarize us with the local crafts and have looked at some workshops and manufacturing facilities from the inside.
A fairly new development in the twin city has arisen from the discovery of relevant oil wells off Ghana's coast, which has once again triggered a certain boom and a great attraction for investors and people looking for new job prospects. For some years now, the nickname 'Oil City' has spread and this factor could play a major role in the development of the region in the future.