Koforidua
Koforidua | |
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Umbrella Rock | |
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Coordinates: 6°06′N 0°16′W / 6.1°N 0.267°W | |
Country | Ghana |
Region | Eastern Region |
District | New-Juaben Municipal District |
Population (2000) | |
- Total | 87,315 |
Koforidua, also popularly known as Kof-town, is a city in the West African republic of Ghana, about an hour by road from Accra. It is the capital of the Eastern Region of Ghana and has a population of 87,315 (2000 census).
It serves as a commercial center for the region and New-Juaben Municipal District.
History
Koforidua was founded in 1875 by refugees from Ashanti. It was served by a station on the network. Koforidua is one of the country’s oldest cocoa-producing centres. With the completion in 1923 of the Accra-Kumasi railway, it became an important road and rail junction. As cocoa production has moved westward to areas of virgin soil, Koforidua has become increasingly dependent upon its commercial and administrative functions. The town has only small-medium scale industries today.Industrial activities include the production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, textiles, crafts, soap, carpentry and joinery, traditional medicine, pottery and ceramics.
Favourable weather conditions, as well as suitable soil types constitute a recipe for the production of food and cash crops. Agricultural crops include cassava, kola, maize, plantain, cocoyam, citrus, palm oil, kennel oil, tomatoes, onions, black pepper, mushrooms and spices. Koforidua is also noted today for its weekly Thursday bead market that draws bead buyers and sellers from all over the region.
The 'Akwantukese' (The Big Journey Festival) is celebrated yearly to mark the movement of their ancestors from 'Ashanti' to their present location. Presently the city still has a high population of 'Ashantis' and a healthy mixture of other Ghanaian tribes.
On July 6, 1992, the city was named the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Koforidua.
Geography
The New Juaben Municipality falls within the Eastern Region of Ghana. The municipality covers an estimated area of 110 square kilometers constituting 0.57 % of the total land area of the Eastern Region. The municipality has 48 electoral areas. It has an annual rainfall ranging from 50 – 120 inches and 20 – 32 celsius mean annual temperatures.
The municipality shares boundaries with East-Akim Municipality to the northeast, Akwapim North District to the east and south and Suhum Kraboa Coaltar District to the west. Koforidua City (New Jabeng) is made up of several towns and neighborhoods, including Effiduase, Asokore, Oyoko, Suhyen, Dansuagya, Betom, Srodae, etc.
A predominant natural feature in Koforidua is the 'Obuo Tabri' Mountain, which is considered sacred. Nearby is Akosombo Dam which holds Lake Volta, the world's largest man-made lake. Waterfalls in the area such as and and the attract tourists to the region.
See also
References
External links
Coordinates: 6°05′00″N 0°15′00″W / 6.0833333°N 0.25°W
Retrieved from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koforidua