The Central Region recorded great strides for the 2025 year, making major efforts at planning for a strategic and coordinated boom this year. From its institutions and assemblies, the region launched major development plans to guide its growth.
Tourism
In a move worth noting and which would likely impact its tourism gains, the region got the President, John Dramani Mahama and the First Lady, Lordina Mahama, to spend Christmas at the Crown Forest Resort at Gomoa Nsuaem
The Crown Forest Nature and Cultural Heritage Resort is the latest addition to a growing pipeline of eco-parks in Ghana and a major booster to the region’s tourism gains.
The park offers a unique combination of wildlife and hospitality.
Central Expo
To further boost economic activities, the Central Regional Coordinating Council, in collaboration with its partners, held the 2025 Central Region Trade and Investment Fair (Central Expo) in Cape Coast, with a call for stakeholders and investors to leverage the region’s abundant resources to drive sustainable growth and development
The six-day event, which ended on August 30, 2025, at the Adisadel School Park, was held on the theme: “Unlocking Business Opportunities in the Central Region”.
More than 300 exhibitors showcased a variety of products, including artefacts, clothing, farm produce, agriproducts, pharmaceuticals, and financial services.
Emancipation & PANAFEST
The Central Region has critical host roles in the celebration of the Pan-African Historical Theatre Festival (PANAFEST) and Emancipation Day celebrations and as expected hosted a grand durbar to climax the festival at Assin Manso earlier in August 2025.
The ceremony brought together chiefs and residents from the four traditional areas of Assin, members of the African diaspora, government officials, and hundreds of Ghanaians.
All gathered under a shared purpose of reconciliation, hope, and cultural revival, renewing the call for a unified and reawakened Africa.
Road infrastructure
Road Infrastructure in the region saw some significant attention.
Indeed, the first phase of the dualisation project of the Kasoa-Winneba aimed at facilitating fast and safe movement of goods and services progressed steadily.
The Winneba-Mankessim and Cape Coast-Takoradi, which were the second and third phases of the coastal dualisation projects, were packaged for funding and implementation under the “Big Push”.
Another remarkable project set to change the fortunes of the region, the Gomoa Central Special Economic Zone, was launched in October.
A major industrial park project, estimated at $1.5 billion and spanning over 21,000 acres, aims to host industries in manufacturing, logistics, and agro-processing, with a goal of creating 60,000 jobs, and is expected to be a game-changer for the region.
CCMA Eight-Year Plan
The Cape Coast Municipal Assembly also launched its 2026-2033 development plan in October 2025, which integrates infrastructure upgrades with tourism development, social, and economic improvements.
The plan aims to redevelop old structures and promote environmental greening.
Again, the Central Regional Minister, Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, unveiled a plan to reposition the region as a hub of industrial expansion and educational excellence, encouraging strategic investment and discipline.
These initiatives are part of efforts to open up the region and strategically boost socio-economic growth.
Security
A lot was achieved in the area of security in the Central Region in the past year, leading to a generally peaceful environment, enabling socio-economic activities to thrive.
In September, 33 women, all Nigerian nationals between the ages of 18 and 28, believed to be victims of a sex trafficking syndicate, were rescued at Nipa-ne-Kuro near Denkyira Subin in the Upper Denkyira West District of the region.
The Central North Regional Police Command, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Abraham Acquaye and a 35-member task force, participated in the operation undertaken on September 11, 2025.
The team also arrested six males, all Ghanaian nationals, for their role in the operations of the brothel.
Disasters
Disasters hit the region hard, getting the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) on its toes in the region.
One school impacted by rain was the Adankwaman Senior High School in the Assin South District, following a devastating rainstorm that had destroyed key school infrastructure just days before reopening.
There were several cases of drowning in abandoned pits, compelling the NADMO and the Ghana National Fire Service to caution offending individuals and institutions and intensifying safety programmes.
Road accidents
An accident at Kormantse in September claimed eight lives, while others at Meyinda Ayensudo and Twifo Ntefrewaso claimed nine lives in total.
Also, an inshore fishing vessel sank in August at the Elmina coast shortly after setting off from the harbour for an expedition
All crew members on board the vessel were reported safe.
Health
In the area of health, the region entered the year with increasing cases of cholera in almost all its districts.
About 180 cases were confirmed, out of 1,929 suspected cases recorded in the region, with 28 others receiving treatment at various health facilities as of the end of January.
The health agencies, however, marshalled resources and effective inter-agency collaboration to contain the situation.
Education
The universities in the region also made remarkable strides, with the University of Cape Coast (UCC) maintaining its dominance in the country and on the continent, according to the Times Higher Education ranking released.
The UCC consolidated its position as the top-ranked university in both Ghana and West Africa per the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) rankings and also placed 11th in Africa.
UCC had sustained this position for the past five years.
The University of Education, Winneba (UEW), also unveiled its fifth Corporate Strategic Plan (CSP) to guide the institution from 2025 to 2030 towards its vision of becoming an internationally reputable centre for teacher education and research.
The five-year plan, estimated at GH¢1.675 billion, outlined bold initiatives in research, teaching, innovation, inclusivity, infrastructure and global partnerships.
The Cape Coast Technical University also celebrated its 40th anniversary with a renewed commitment to growth and academic excellence.
NSMQ Win
At the secondary level, the region showed its academic prowess by hosting and securing two spots at the National Science and Mathematics Quiz by Mfantsipim School and St Augustine’s College.
In the end, Mfantsipim School repeated its winning ways for a second consecutive year, winning the coveted trophy.
Festivals
The region, which is home to major festivals, also held grand durbars to mark the Bakatue of Elmina, Fetu afahye of Cape Coast, Ahobaa Kese of Abaadze Dominase, Odambea of Saltpond and Akwambo of Swedru.
New Denkyirahene
Another glimmer of hope in the region in the past year was the coronation of a new Denkyirahene, Odeefuo Boa Amponsem IV.
Known in private life as Oscar Mensah Kessie, the new Denkyirahene is the Chief Executive Officer of Bankam FM at Jukwa.
Odeefuo Boa Amponsem IV succeeded the late Odeefuo Boa Amponsem III, the 25th Denkyirahene, who passed away in 2015, leaving the Denkyira throne vacant for 10 years.
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Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
