- published: 05 Apr 2016
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Sekondi-Takoradi, population 445,205 (2012), comprising the twin cities of Sekondi and Takoradi, is the capital of the Western Region of Ghana. It is Ghana's fourth largest city and an industrial and commercial center. The chief industries are timber, plywood, shipbuilding and railroad repair and recently, oil. It lies on the main railway lines to Accra and Kumasi.
Sekondi, older and larger, was the site of Dutch Fort Orange (1642) and English Fort Sekondi (1682). It prospered from a railroad built in 1903 to hinterland mineral and timber resources. Takoradi was the site of Dutch Fort Witsen (1665) and has an important deepwater seaport, Ghana's first, built in 1928. During World War II, Takoradi Air Base was an important staging point for British aircraft destined for Egypt.26 Squadron SAAF was also based in Takoradi during WWII flying anti-submarine and convoy protection patrols over the Atlantic. A number of South African airmen are buried in the Takoradi European Public cemetery.
The cities combined in 1946.On November 20, 1969, the city became the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sekondi–Takoradi.