The Western Region of Ghana, adjoining the border with Cote d'Ivoire, presents a striking contrast between ancient and modern. It is located in the southwestern corner of Ghana and has a population of 1.5 million people (1993 estimates) and is largely rural in character with almost 70% of it population living in the rural areas. It is 23,920,000sq km in area with a large natural resource base. It has the highest (about 75%) of the country's total rainfall and 44% of the rainforest. It has the twin city of Sekondi-Takoradi serving as it capital from where Government business is mainly done.
The Region boasts of some of the oldest mines in the country, a modern harbour facility and commercial centre at Takoradi.
The Region was one of the earliest to mine for gold and other minerals and several of the mines welcome visitors (by prior arrangement). Tarkwa is the centre of the Region's mining industry.
The region is made up of five main ethnic groups - the Ahanta, Wassaw, Nzema, Aowin and Sefwi. There is also a large presence of the Fantis (mainly from Cape Coast in the Central Region) found in the Sekondi-Takoradi area along the coast. Fanti is a common language spoken in this region.
The region was among the first areas to welcome early European traders and is now distinguished by the large number of castles and forts, which have become major tourist attractions for the region. The forts and castles reflect the diversity of building styles who were employed by the European traders that built and occupied them. Of particular interest are Fort Appolonia at Beyin, and Fort Metal Cross at Dixcove. Many of the castles overlook some of the best beaches in Ghana.
Sekondi
This used to be the leading port in the country at the begining of the century. It was also the terminus of the railway that went through the mining towns and into Kumasi and another that went eastward off the Kumasi line to Accra. With the building of a modern port facility at Takoradi, just 8km away, Sekondi lost its position as the leading commercial town and now serves mainly as a residential town.
Takoradi
This is the newer section of the twin-city with a modern port facility. It served as the main harbour until another was built at Tema near Accra. There are lumber mills and various factories within the city especially along the road from Sekondi. The town is wonderful and serves as the base for many visiting the nearby important places in the region.
Visitors can lodge at inexpensive hotels, dine and dance and can also arrange excursions to see the many attractions of the region either from the Regional Offices of the Ghana Tourist Board or the hotels. Car hire services can also be made from the hotels. The visitor wanting to go on his/her own can do so by the minibuses from the station in the town.
From Takoradi one can visit the Nini-Suhien National Park, a major rainforest area, or go on the railway to Tarkwa, a very old forest mining town with a glass factory in the adjoining town, Aboso. From Tarkwa one could visit Prestea, another mining town and Samreboi, which is an unusual industrial town, located in the richest forest area.
A trip to the village of Nkroful, about 20km from Axim, is a memorable feature. Nkroful is the birthplace and also the original burial place of the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the First President of Ghana. The original tomb site is located in the very house where he was born. You can easily get to Axim from Takoradi.
Also from Takoradi one can visit Busua Beach Resort, about 20km west and a lovely place from where you could travel to the small nearby island in a fisherman's dugout boat. At Dixcove, a few kilometres beyond Busua is the Fort Metal Cross, one built by the British against the aggression of the Dutch, Portuguese and Danes in the 17th century. It is one of the well-preserved forts that serves now as a guesthouse and has a post office.
From Takoradi, one can also visit the village of Nzulezo - "Village onStilts". This is an amazing village located in the centre of Lake Tadane, just 90km west of Takoradi. The houses are built on stilts, and traditional village life adapts to the aquatic surroundings. The excursion from Beyin involves a walk through the reeds at the lake's edge, and a trip in a dugout canoe to the village. The village welcomes visitors every day except Thursday, which is considered a sacred day.
How to Reach
Sekondi - Takoradi, the capital of the region is mainly accessible by road from Accra through Cape Coast. It is about a 3-hour drive from Accra but only 45 minutes from Cape Coast. From Takoradi, one can travel on public transport to any of part of the region. The northern section of the region can also be reached from Kumasi in the Ashanti Region and Sunyani in the Brong Ahafo.
