Takoradi
Introduction
Sekondi-Takoradi is a city in Ghana made up of the twin cities of Sekondi and Takoradi. It serves as the capital of both the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan District and the Western Region of Ghana, and it is the region's largest city as well as an industrial and commercial center.
The two halves of the city have their own identities within the wider metropolitan area: Takoradi and Sekondi each return their own member of parliament, and the city and its metropolitan area are led by a mayor.
Before you go
Sekondi-Takoradi is a twin city, formed when Sekondi and Takoradi were combined into a single municipality, and it grew from the sites of 17th-century Dutch, Swedish and English forts. It is an industrial and commercial centre, with timber, plywood, shipbuilding and railroad repair among its chief industries, and the main railway lines to Accra and Kumasi pass through it. The discovery of large crude oil reserves in Ghana's western region has drawn people from all over the world, so you will find an international presence alongside long-established local life. The language you will hear most is Akan, in particular Fante, so it is worth learning a few common phrases before you arrive; a Fante phrasebook is a useful place to start. For peace of mind, note that some hotels employ security guards.Getting there
Takoradi Airport sits at Airport Ridge along the Agona Nkwanta/Axim Road, and flights from Accra take roughly 40 to 50 minutes. Standard domestic luggage limits apply, but flying is the fastest option for a quick, comfortable trip on regional aircraft.
By road, the journey from Accra usually takes around 4 to 5 hours, with private long-distance coach operators such as VIP Jeoun frequently serving the highway route. Car rental services are readily available in Takoradi if you prefer to drive yourself or hire a vehicle with a driver.
Getting around
Takoradi is one half of the twin city of Sekondi-Takoradi, and getting around is mostly a matter of choosing between shared minibuses, taxis, and your own two feet. The workhorse of everyday movement is the trotro, a shared minibus running on set routes — the cheapest and most common way locals get about, and perfectly usable if you are comfortable with a bit of hustle. Trotros operate on fixed routes, so you generally pick one up at a recognised stopping point and pay the mate (the conductor) once you are aboard. Because routes are set, you may need to change vehicles to reach your final destination; ask around at the stop and someone will point you to the right one. Carry small cash for fares, as you pay as you go rather than buying a pass.
- By train: Commuter trains run several times a day between Sekondi and Takoradi, calling at stations in between — a straightforward way to move between the two halves of the twin city. Takoradi railway station is the obvious starting point. There is no metro or tram network, so rail here means the national and commuter lines, not a city subway.
- By taxi: Taxis fill the gaps that trotros leave and are the easiest option when you are carrying luggage or heading somewhere off the main routes. You can hail a drop or chartered taxi to take you straight to a specific destination. Agree the fare before you set off, as is standard practice for chartered taxis.
- By car: Car rental is readily available, with rates varying by vehicle type, location, whether you require a driver, and the rental company. Given the city's good road network and its position on routes to the wider region, a car is a reasonable choice if you plan to explore beyond the city centre.
- On foot: Walking is realistic for short distances within a neighbourhood — around the market area, for instance, or between nearby pubs, restaurants and clubs. For longer cross-city trips, trotros or taxis are more practical, particularly in the heat, which stays hot year-round.
- From the airport: Takoradi Airport sits at Airport Ridge, along the Agona Nkwanta/Axim Road. On arrival, taxis are the natural way into the city, and since the airport is close to Sekondi, the transfer is short.
For longer journeys out of the city, public transport connections radiate from Takoradi to major cities including Accra, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Tema, Tamale, Sunyani, Ho, Wa, Bolgatanga, Techiman, Mim, Elubo and Aflao, and private long-distance coach operators serve the highway route from Accra. Book with a coach operator or arrange a rental car in advance. If you are unsure which trotro or taxi to take, ask at your hotel or at the nearest stop; locals are used to directing visitors. Note that the city is prone to flooding, especially around the Anankwari, Kansawura and Whin rivers during heavy rain, so avoid low-lying routes after downpours.
Where to stay
Takoradi's accommodation splits between a straightforward option near the centre and a cluster of upmarket hotels. SuperStar Hotel sits closer to Takoradi Market Circle and keeps 24-hour reception, handy if you want to be within reach of the market and the middle of town.
- Best Western Plus Atlantic Hotel — in the Beach Road Area of DTD.
- Planters Lodge and Spa — on Dixcove Road, an estate built by the British Air Force in 1934 and now a 44-bedroom hotel.
- Alliance Hotel By Eagles (formerly Protea Hotel Takoradi Select) — on Axim Road, plush and elegant, with a pool and a view of the ocean.
- The Palms by Eagles — on Eagles Lane, in the hotel zone where the petrodollar crowd stays, with the full-service works: pool, hot tub, spa, gym, restaurant and bar, and wifi.
Food & drink
Local food in Takoradi centres on fante kenkey, typically eaten with fried fish and hot pepper. For a filling meal, chopbars serve soup dotted with hunks of meat alongside fufu; one popular spot sits on the Cape Coast–Takoradi Road. If you want international cuisine, an Indian restaurant on Cape Coast Road offers biryanis and vegetable pakoras.
To cool down, head to the beach outside town, where you can enjoy the surroundings and try African drinks such as pitoo and palm wine.
What to see and do
Begin with the city's history, which is written into its buildings. In Shama, east of Sekondi-Takoradi near the coast, Fort San Sebastian is the third oldest fortification on the Ghanaian coast, built by the Portuguese in 1526 and later ceded to the Dutch and then the British. It was used in the African slave trade, and the first Black European professor is interred there. In Sekondi, near the naval dockyard, Fort Orange was built by the Dutch in 1642 as a lodge, converted into a trading post and then a fort by 1704 after attacks by the Ahantas, and passed to the British crown by 1872; it now stands dilapidated, serving partly as a lighthouse and partly as a place for people to dry their clothes. The Takoradi European Public cemetery, where a number of South African airmen who died in World War II are buried, is another site for reflection.
For sport, the Sekondi-Takoradi Stadium is a multi-purpose ground primarily used for football matches and the home stadium of Sekondi Hasaacas FC. It hosted some matches during the 2008 African Cup of Nations.
When to go
Sekondi-Takoradi has a hot tropical savanna climate, so temperatures stay high all year and you can expect warm conditions whenever you visit. The short dry season runs from December to March. Humidity is at its lowest in December, but this stretch also falls within the hottest time of year, so days feel hot with little rain to bring relief.
The hottest months run from January to May, around the time the wet season begins, with the first rains arriving toward the end of that stretch. The wet season itself falls between May and June, and June is the wettest month; heavy rainfall can cause the Anankwari, Kansawura and Whin rivers to overflow and flood nearby communities. August, after the rainy season, brings the highest humidity of the year, and the air feels muggy then, though humidity is generally erratic because of sea and land breezes.
Three days in Takoradi
Day one: Begin in Takoradi, the twin city that anchors Ghana's Western Region alongside Sekondi. Ease into the rhythm of the Takoradi Metropolitan District by wandering the streets and getting a feel for the Akan and Fante character of the place. If you arrive by air, Takoradi Airport sits close to Airport Ridge, a handy base for your first night. Settle in, eat well, and rest - the days ahead are full.
Day two: Head out along Axim Road toward Agona Nkwanta, taking in the scenery of the Western Region as you go. The road is a good introduction to the area beyond the city, and you can return to Takoradi by evening. Back in town, spend time among the old colonial traces left by the Dutch, Swedish and English, whose presence shaped the coast here.
Day three: Use the transport links to shape your final day. VIP Jeoun and Standard coaches connect Takoradi with Accra, Kumasi, Cape Coast, Tema, Tamale, Sunyani and Ho, so you can plan an onward leg or a day trip. Trotros and taxis make getting around straightforward - agree the fare before you set off. Walking from your base, you can cover a lot of ground before you leave.