Drive east from Tema along the coast and the industrial buildings give way to fishing canoes and old compound houses, then to new factories and power stations again. This is Kpone, a town that sits between two worlds. Its fishermen still launch canoes from the beach, while some of Ghana’s thermal power plants hum nearby. The municipality around it has become one of the fastest-growing in Greater Accra.
Fishing and power plants
Kpone lies on the coast just east of Tema, on the road towards Prampram and Ada. The Tema-Aflao road and the Tema-Akosombo road pass through the wider municipality. Kpone is the capital of the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly, which covers areas including Katamanso, Oyibi and Appolonia. Fishing has long been central to life in Kpone. Canoes land their catch on the beach, and women smoke and sell fish in local markets.
Several thermal power stations have been built in the Kpone area, taking advantage of its location near Tema port and gas supplies. They supply electricity to the national grid.
The landfill, industry and housing
The Kpone landfill receives waste from Tema and parts of Accra. It has faced problems with overloading, fires and complaints from nearby residents. The area hosts factories and industrial projects linked to the Tema economy. New estates have spread across the municipality, attracting families who work in Tema and Accra. The municipality includes Katamanso, near the site of the 1826 battle between Asante forces and a coastal alliance.
Rapid growth has brought land disputes, and buyers are advised to verify ownership carefully. Residents worry about pollution from industry, the landfill and coastal erosion.
Tradition, jobs and beaches
Kpone has its own traditional authority and festivals, linked to the wider Ga-Dangme community. Trotros connect Kpone with Tema, Ashaiman and Accra. For many young people in Kpone, the factories and power plants offer jobs that their parents never had, from security work to technical roles. Others still prefer fishing or trading, and families often combine several sources of income.
Quieter stretches of beach near Kpone attract weekend visitors. Kpone’s fishermen and power plant workers share the same stretch of coast. Few towns in Greater Accra show as clearly how quickly old and new Ghana have been pushed together.
