Stories and facts

It holds great historical importance due to the presence of Portuguese colonists who built a trading fort in the area. Later, the Swedes constructed a lodge, which eventually became the well-known Cape Coast Castle, now a designated World Heritage Site. The modern town has expanded around this historical landmark.

Cape Coast Metropolis is situated between the Gulf of Guinea to the south, the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem Metropolis to the west (at Iture bridge), the Abura Asebu Kwamankese District to the east, and the Twifu Heman Lower Denkyira District to the north. It covers an area of approximately 122 square kilometers, with its farthest point at Brabadze, around 17 kilometres from Cape Coast, the capital of the Metropolis in the Central Region.

The landscape of the Cape Coast Metropolis is generally undulating, dominated by batholiths. Steep hills in various areas affect physical mobility, with valleys and rivers running between the hills. The Metropolis primarily consists of schist rock formations with introduced granites and pegmatite. The region experiences a double maximal rainfall, with annual totals ranging between 750 and 1,000mm. It has two main vegetation zones, the savannah, and the forest zones, with the latter found in the northern belt.

The population of Cape Coast Metropolis has experienced growth over the years. In 1960, the population was 54,123, increasing to 69,495 in 1970, and further to 84,477 in 1984. By the year 2000, the population rohad riseno 118,106. Between 1960 and 1970, the population grew at a rate of 2.2%, which dropped to 1.3% between 1970 and 1984 but rose again to 2.0% between 1984 and 2000. According to the 2010 population and housing census, the estimated population of the Metropolis was 145,246.

Health, water, and sanitation facilities play crucial roles in the development of the region. Major health facilities (hospitals) are primarily located in the core Cape Coast and its immediate surroundings, with only one health center situated in Efutu. The Metropolis is well-served with potable drinking water, mainly sourced from boreholes, pipe-borne water, hand-dug wells, rivers, and streams. The sustainability of water resources is impacted by environmental destruction in the river basin, leading to perennial water shortages, especially in the dry season. The northern part of the Metropolis faces challenges with access to hospitals and sanitation facilities.

Proper waste management and sanitation are vital for the health and tourism industry of the Metropolis. However, inadequate awareness of waste disposal has led to waste spilling, unapproved waste dumping areas, and unhygienic conditions in some places. Waste collection poses a financial burden on the Metropolis, and improvements are needed in monitoring systems and coordination among departments.

The Metropolis provides access to basic educational facilities in most communities. However, second-cycle and tertiary institutions are concentrated in the southern part of the Metropolis, leaving the northern sector somewhat disadvantaged. Unemployment rates are significant, particularly in the informal private sector, while employment in commerce, production, transport, and education sectors is notable.

Cape Coast boasts a rich history, with numerous historic buildings and monuments, making it a prime destination for tourism. The Cape Coast Castle, forts, traditional religious buildings, and other attractions offer great potential for revitalization and economic regeneration. Developing the existing building stock and promoting tourism-related infrastructure would be beneficial.

The Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly (CCMA) is the highest political and administrative authority in the Metropolis. It comprises 63 Assembly Persons, including the Metropolitan Chief Executive, elected and appointed members, and the Member of Parliament for Cape Coast.

The vision of the CCMA is to become a leading Metropolis with a high standard of living, infrastructure, and services, creating an environment where aspirations can be achieved. Its mission is to facilitate the development of the Metropolis by utilizing resources for infrastructure and social services within the context of good governance. The medium-term goal focuses on improving education, health care, agriculture, economic activities, and environmental management with active community participation.

The CCMA is responsible for various functions, including development planning, resource mobilization, promoting economic activities, maintaining security, providing access to justice, and coordinating development programs within the District.

Despite facing challenges, the Cape Coast Municipal Assembly remains dedicated to promoting development in the region. Effectively addressing these issues calls for forging strategic partnerships with the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and the central government. Furthermore, embracing innovative funding approaches and integrating technology into service delivery will pave the path toward sustainable development.

To sustain its growth and progress, the Cape Coast Municipal Assembly relies on the active involvement and support of its citizens. By collaborating and confronting challenges directly, Cape Coast has the potential to become an exemplary municipality, inspiring others across Ghana and beyond with its inclusive and prosperous future.