Takoradi, The capital city of the Western region of Ghana, is a port city. Takoradi is an important port city. Due to the large deposits of oil found at its shores, it is also popularly referred to as the oil city. It is arguably one of the busiest cities in Ghana with a growing population of 25000. Several different tribes like the Fantes, Nzema, Ahanta, etc inhabit the city. The city of Takoradi has several captivating places worthy of recognition. The culture and heritage of its people are one that draws thousands of people every year.
A 48hr visit to Takoradi may not be enough to explore the city, but it will give you the opportunity to do and see some of the wonderful things it has to offer. From the beaches, towns, markets, sports, restaurants, harbours, etc, you just can’t have enough. In the ensuing paragraphs, I will be listing a couple of things you can do within a 48hr visit to Takoradi.
Beaches
The beaches here are clean and lively. It is not surprising to see several families and friends hanging out on holidays and weekends. Takoradi has some of the best beaches to hang out, and to your surprise, they are open to the public. During holidays and on special festivals, the beaches are packed with people wanting to have a good time. The beach is a good place to unwind and have a hoot time over some drinks and barbecue. Several spots have sprung up on the beaches over the years. From resorts to small drinking spots, there are several ways to enjoy yourself anytime you’re on a beach in Takoradi. You can enjoy Good music live or via radio.
Restaurants
The food here is superb. The local chop bars and plush restaurants offer some of the tastiest delicacies. Meals served in local chop bars are mostly local cuisine. In some popular chop bars, you’ll have long queues of people waiting to purchase some food. Some of the meals that people love are fufu with a large variety of soups – peanut soup, palm nut soup and a special favourite ‘abunabunu’, This is a green soup made with spinach and lots of choice cut meat and dried fish. Continental dishes are also served depending on the restaurants. There is a popular Indian restaurant called Bombay Spice. They serve some of the most authentic Indian delicacies and a Chinese restaurant – Han Palace, located in the city. Other restaurants serve European dishes at affordable rates.
Fort Orange
Fort Orange is a historical landmark located a few metres off Sekondi’s harbour. In the 17th Century, the Dutch built the fort as a fortress. History has it that, the Ahantas attacked the fort in 1694. This led the Dutch to refortify the fortress to make it less prone to attack. It was used as a lighthouse after it was seized by the British in 1873. Consequently it now serves as a Naval Base for the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority. If you want to learn about history and culture, this is a good subject for visiting.
Monkey Hill
The Monkey Hill (Monkey Forest Resort) is a habitat located in the centre of Takoradi. It is an animal sanctuary that has several different types of fauna. The main species here are monkeys, and they have two main species, the Mona and the Spot-nosed Monkey. Ecotourists love to visit this place. To even spice things up, tourists and visitors can take up hiking as a form of exercise and stress reliever. In 2002, the reserve was awarded for its biodiversity. There are several lodges and restaurants located nearby. Maybe you would love to grab a meal or spend a couple of days taking in the view. The Monkey Hill is actually located on the highest hill in the city and hence a hike there reveals the beautiful sprawling city below.
Takoradi European Public Cemetery
Takoradi European Public Cemetery is the resting place of a large number of South African airmen who died in World War I and II. There are five other war graves of other nationalities and twenty-five from non-world war graves. The cemetery lies on the Takoradi-Axim road approximately 3 kilometres from the town centre. The cemetery is a constant reminder of the ills of war. Many tourists visit the cemetery to pay respects to the dead and also to reflect on the many lives lost during the two World Wars.
Ahanta Waves Surf School and Camp
For the surfing enthusiasts, this establishment is an exciting way to get to know more about surfing in Ghana. The Ahanta Surf school is located in Busua and offers surfing lessons to the public at an affordable fee. Experienced surfers can also rent out surf boards to use at the beaches. The most popular surfing hotspot around Takoradi is the Busua beach which is just a few kilometres away. The Ahanta Surf school attracts several tourists and curious folk who want to learn how to surf.
Takoradi Market
Also known as Market Circle, The Takoradi market is is one of the largest in the area. Several people come from all over to conduct business through buying and selling of wares. From fresh farm produce like tubers, vegetables, nuts and fruits you can get everything to buy in the market. There are several other shops that sell a wide range of products. You will see as market women and men call out the name of their wares in gusto. Sometimes going further to passersby that they sell the best and most affordable wares.
Apart from some of these major attractions, there are several other interesting places that one can visit. Taking a walk around the beautiful city and enjoying the people and the bustling life of the city is a good way to pass time. You can also visit a few galleries, purchase some souvenirs from craftsmen and street artists.