| Official Name: | Cape Coast, Oguaa |
| Other Name: | City of Cape Coast |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Image Blank Emblem: | Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly(CCMA) logo.PNG |
| Blank Emblem Type: | Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly logo |
| Blank Emblem Size: | 150px |
| Blank Emblem Link: | Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly |
| Pushpin Map: | Ghana#Africa |
| Pushpin Label: | Cape Coast |
| Coordinates: | 5.1°N -16°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  Ghana |
| Subdivision Type1: | Admin. Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Central Region |
| Subdivision Type2: | District |
| Subdivision Name2: | Cape Coast Metropolitan |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Date: | 1482 |
| Leader Title: | Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North |
| Leader Name: | Dr. Kwamena Minta Nyarku (NDC) |
| Elevation M: | 0 |
| Population Total: | 169,894[1] |
| Population As Of: | 2010 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Demonym: | Cape Coaster |
| Timezone: | GMT |
| Postal Code Type: | Postcode district |
| Postal Code: | CC |
| Area Code: | 033 |
| Website: | http://ccma.gov.gh/ |
| Leader Name1: | Kweku George Ricketts-Hagan (NDC) |
| Leader Title1: | Members of Parliament for Cape Coast South |
Cape Coast is a city, fishing port, and the capital of Cape Coast Metropolitan District and Central Region of Ghana. It is one of the country's most historic cities, a World Heritage Site, home to the Cape Coast Castle, with the Gulf of Guinea situated to its south.[2] It was also the first capital of Ghana. According to the 2021 census, Cape Coast had a settlement population of 189,925 people.[3] [4] The language of the people of Cape Coast is Fante.[5]
The older traditional names of the city are Oguaa and Kotokuraba (meaning "River of Crabs" or "Village of Crabs").[6] The Portuguese navigators João de Santarém and Pedro Escobar who sailed past Oguaa in 1471 designated the place Cabo Corso (meaning "short cape"), from which the name Cape Coast derives. From the 16th century to the country's independence in 1957, the city changed hands between the British, the Portuguese, the Swedish, the Danish and the Dutch. It is home to 32 festivals and celebrations.[7]
Cape Coast was founded by the people of Oguaa and the region ruled over by the paramount chief, or Omanhene, is known today as Oguaa Traditional Area. Cape Coast is one of the most historical cities in Ghana.[8] Portuguese colonists built a trading fort in the area. In 1650, the Swedes built a lodge that would later become the better known Cape Coast Castle, which is now a World Heritage Site. Most of the modern town expanded around it. The Dutch took it over in 1650 and expanded it in 1652. It was then captured by the British in 1664.
Trade was an important motivator in the creation of fortresses and settlements on Cape Coast. Traders from various European countries built these trading lodges, forts and castles along the coast of modern Ghana. Unfortunately, the acquisition of gold, slaves, honey, and the many other goods that composed the African leg of the Triangular Trade was increasingly detrimental to the inhabitants of Cape Coast.[9] In 1874, the British dominated all European presence along the coast of modern-day Ghana using Cape Coast as their base of operations, Gold Coast.
In the 19th century, concerns over Cape Coast's climate prompted discussions about relocating the headquarters to Accra, seen as a healthier alternative. Colonel Henry Ord's report in 1865 highlighted Accra's appeal, but an earthquake in 1862 damaged key government buildings, thwarting plans.[10] By the 1870s, Cape Coast's climate and sanitation issues persisted, leading to consideration of alternatives such as Ada, Elmina, and Accra. Despite Elmina's drawbacks, Accra's advantages, including its commercial significance and relatively healthy surroundings, outweighed its shortcomings.[11] Ultimately, in 1875, the decision was made to move the Gold Coast Colony's headquarters to Accra.
With the establishment of formal colonial administration, they relocated to Accra following opposition to the "window tax" in 1877. Accra became their state. Cape Coast Castle was also where most of the slaves were held before their journey on the Middle Passage.
See main article: Asafo. Oguaa Traditional Area has seven asafo companies – traditional warrior groups, based on lineal descent, whose historical role was defence of the state[12] (the word deriving from sa, meaning "war", and fo, meaning "people") – with a complex social and political organization based on martial principles,[13] and elaborate traditions of visual art.[14] The asafo companies feature largely in Cape Coast's annual Fetu Afahye festival held on the first Saturday of September,[15] and each have historically established uniform colours: Esi Sutherland-Addy identifies these as: No. 1. Bentsir – red; No. 2. Anafo – blue and white; No. 3. Ntsin – green; No. 4. Nkum – yellow; No. 5. Amanful – wine and black; No. 6. Abrofomba (Brofo Nkoa) – white; No. 7. Ankrampa – white and black.[16]
The city's St. Francis Cathedral was dedicated in 1928.[17] The building is the first Catholic Cathedral built in Ghana.[18] In addition, one of the first Catholic schools in Ghana, St. Augustine College, was established in Cape Coast during 1936.[19] The cocoa marketing boom of the 1900s that Ghana experienced, the city experienced a certain period of economic prosperity. After the completion of harbours and railways in other parts of the country such as Sekondi and Kumasi, cocoa cultivation and trade in Ghana diversified and Cape Coast lost some importance.[20] However, after the establishment of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese and the university of the city in 1950 and 1962 respectively, Cape Coast became a regional educational hub for this area of Ghana.
There are Public Transports from Cape Coast to major cities such as Accra; Kumasi, Mim, Ahafo; Sunyani; Tamale; Tema; Ho; Wa; Bolgatanga; Elubo; Aflao, Techiman.
Cape Coast is the only Metropolitan Assembly in the Central Region. The Assembly is bounded to the south by the Gulf of Guinea, west by the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem, East by the Abura Asebu Kwamankese District, and to the north by the Twifu Heman Lower Denkyira District. It also has two Parliamentary constituencies, which are Cape Coast North (Ghana parliament constituency) and Cape Coast South (Ghana parliament constituency). The Assembly has 45 Electoral Areas, with 30 being in Cape Coast South (Ghana parliament constituency) and 15 being in Cape Coast North (Ghana parliament constituency).
| Name | Gender | Membership Type | Region Name | District Name | Constituency Name | Electoral Name | Term ends | |
| EBOW HALM | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST NORTH | AKYIM | Dec-23 | |
| MENSAH JOHN | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST NORTH | EKON ETSIFI | Dec-23 | |
| GIDEON MPUSU | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST NORTH | EKON ANAAFO | Dec-23 | |
| LAMIDI ALHASSAN | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST NORTH | TANTRI/AYIKOO AYIKOO | Dec-23 | |
| JUSTICE OBENG | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST NORTH | BROFOYEDUR | Dec-23 | |
| JOHN SAM | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST NORTH | MPEASEM/AMOAKOFOA | Dec-23 | |
| PAUL ATO AMOAKO | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST NORTH | AMANFUL EAST | Dec-23 | |
| ABRAHAM WOODE | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST NORTH | AMANFUL WEST | Dec-23 | |
| JOSEPH HAGAN | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST NORTH | GEGEM | Dec-23 | |
| ANTHONY MENSAH-SPIO | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST NORTH | ENYITSIWDO | Dec-23 | |
| STEPHEN DOFFOE FORSON | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST NORTH | KROO TOWN | Dec-23 | |
| SAMUEL KOBNA BIADOO-ACGUAH | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST NORTH | GYEGYEANO | Dec-23 | |
| AUGUSTINE KOJO PENIEL AIDOO | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST NORTH | NTSIN | Dec-23 | |
| GODFRED ABRAHAM | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST NORTH | CHAPEL SQUARE NICTORIA PARK | Dec-23 | |
| SAMUEL DOUGLAS DUNCAN | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST NORTH | TAMESEASE | Dec-23 | |
| RICHARD EKOW MOSES | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | LONDON BRIDGE | Dec-23 | |
| EDDIE DAWSON | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | TUROM | Dec-23 | |
| ALBERT BEDFORD MOSES. | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | BAKAANO | Dec-23 | |
| NOEL MIAH | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | ANOKYINEIFAWOHODZI | Dec-23 | |
| EKOW FILSON | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | KAWANOPADO | Dec-23 | |
| AHMED ABDULAI | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | TSIMTSIMHWE 1KOTOKURABA | Dec-23 | |
| BABA ALI SUMAILA | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | KADADWEN | Dec-23 | |
| JOEL AMPONSAH-DADZIE | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | ABOOM WELLS | Dec-23 | |
| FREDERICK JOHNSON | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | ABOOMIMASTER SAM | Dec-23 | |
| ALHASSAN SULEMAN | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | ASIKAFOAMBANTEM /ANTEM | Dec-23 | |
| MUNTALA MOHAMMED | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | ADISADEL | Dec-23 | |
| HUSSEINI SHAIBU | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | TSIBU DARKO | Dec-23 | |
| ISAAC WINFUL | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | BLACK STAR | Dec-23 | |
| TSIBU-DARKO PRINCE | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | OLA LOW COST | Dec-23 | |
| SAMUEL E. KRAH | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | OLA MAD I NA | Dec-23 | |
| FREDERICK JUSTICE THAM MENSAH | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | 3RD RIDGE / NKANFOA | Dec-23 | |
| ISAAC KOBINA MENSAH | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | PEDU NGUABADO | Dec-23 | |
| JAMES ARTHUR | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | PEDU ABAKADZE | Dec-23 | |
| WISDOM SUKA | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | ABAKAM/AHENEBOBOI | Dec-23 | |
| FRANCIS MENSAH EGYIR | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | UNIVERSITY OLD SITE /APEVVOSIKA | Dec-23 | |
| JOHN KILSON MENSAH | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | UNIVERSITY NEW SITE / KWAPROW | Dec-23 | |
| MOSES ARTHUR | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | NKWANTADO/ASSIM | Dec-23 | |
| ABDUL MALIK ADJEI | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | ETSIFUEYIFUA | Dec-23 | |
| USMAN EGYIN ABBAM | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | KAKOMDO | Dec-23 | |
| KOBINA ISSAH | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | EBUBONKOIAMISSANO | Dec-23 | |
| BENJAMIN MANSO | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | ESSUEKYIR | Dec-23 | |
| GEORGE ANAFO | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | ANKAFUL | Dec-23 | |
| DAVID OWU | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | MPEASEWBIRIMS0 | Dec-23 | |
| PAUL NAT AMISSAH | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | KOFORIDUNNY1NASIN | Dec-23 | |
| ALHAJI MUSTAPHAABDULLHA | MALE | ELECTED | CENTRAL | Cape Coast Metropolitan | CAPE COAST SOUTH | EFUTU MAMPONG | Dec-23 |
The area is dominated by batholith rock and is generally undulating with steep slopes. There are valleys of various streams between the hills, with Kakum being the largest stream.
The minor streams end in wetlands, the largest of which drains into the Fosu Lagoon at Bakano. In the northern part of the district, however, the landscape is suitable for the cultivation of various crops.
Cape Coast has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen: Aw/As) with two long wet seasons – a heavier one from March to July and a lighter one from September to November – alongside two short dry seasons in January/February and in August.
Cape Coast is a humid area with mean monthly relative humidity varying between 85% and 99%. The sea breeze has a moderating effect on the local climate.[21]
The crab is the city's mascot and a statue of one stands in the city centre. Fort William, built in 1820, was an active lighthouse from 1835 to the 1970s, while Fort Victoria was built in 1702.
The main market of Cape Coast is called Kotokuraba Market.[22]
Other attractions include a series of Asafo shrines, Cape Coast Centre for National Culture, the Oguaa Fetu Afahye festival (held on the first Saturday of September), and since 1992, the biennial Panafest theatre festival.[23] The city is located 30 km south of Kakum National Park, one of the most diverse and best preserved national parks in West Africa.
It is believed that Michelle Obama, US First Lady, considers Cape Coast as her ancestral home,[24] and on 11 July 2009, she took the rest of the first family to tour Cape Coast Castle as part of her husband's trip to Cape Coast.
Cape Coast is the seat of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Ghana's leading university in teaching and research. Cape Vars, as it is popularly called, lies on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It also has one of the best Polytechnics, the Cape Coast Polytechnic (C-POLY). The city also boasts some of Ghana's finest secondary and technical schools:
Notable people born in or associated with Cape Coast include:
1950–; Queen mother of Effutu 16 of the Effutu Municipal District, educator and advocate for political rights of queen mothers[26]
The Fante people of Ghana are notable for their way of cooking. They are known for eating rich cuisine, mostly with more fish, meat, or any form of protein than necessary. It is believed that this is because of the number of rivers and lakes situated in the town. The people are known for their expert fishing and fish preservation abilities. Some of the cuisines are fante fante, stew and pepper sauce or okro stew, fante kenkey, which can be eaten with soups, stews or shito.
List of sister cities of Cape Coast, designated by Sister Cities International:
| Country | City | County / District / Region / State | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Germany | Bonn | North Rhine-Westphalia | 2012 | |
 United States | Buffalo | New York | ||
| United States | Hanover Park | Illinois |