Saltpond,the Abandoned town.

Saltpond may not be as popular as other cities in Ghana, but don’t let that fool you. Saltpond is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination.

Saltpond is a town and the capital of the Mfantsiman Municipal District in the Central Region of South Ghana. Saltpond has a population of 24,689 people.

The Saltpond town originally consisted of the three villages of Nankesidu, Bakadu, and Okukudu. These three towns became Saltpond because of the big salt pond that is left behind when the tide goes out. The community is able to fish in the pond as well as in the Ocean." So when the first Europeans came they settled near the pond and gave it that name. This later became Salt pond.

The local allonym, Akyemfo is purported to have its origins from the Akyems who are thought to have migrated from the Eastern Region of Ghana to domicile at the coast during Akyem-Fante alliance but later integrated well into the Fantes; hence Akyemfo, meaning 'people from Akyem'.

Nkusukum people pride themselves as very brave and fearless. They have no fear for police nor soldiers. They proudly say "mefir Akyemfo, me nsuro polisinyi," meaning "I am from Saltpond, I do not fear police." If you threaten a Saltpond man with a police, you are just wasting your own time.

Nkusukum town of Saltpond has historically served as the venue for important political meetings and activities. Ghana`s two great political parties or traditions, United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) and Convention Peoples Party (CPP) that fought for Independence were formed in Saltpond. The UGCC was formed at Saltpond in August 1947 under the chairmanship and financial sponsorship of George Grant, better known as Paa Grant- a wealthy businessman, with an idealist slogan of “Self-Government within the shortest possible time,” whilst the CPP was founded by Ghana's First President, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah at Saltpond on June 6th, 1949.

Nkusukum is also the first land people in Ghana to have their sea territory producing oil for Ghana. The Saltpond Field located about 12 kilometres offshore Saltpond. The field was discovered in 1970 by Signal-Amoco Consortium. The field is currently managed by the Saltpond Offshore Producing Company (SOPCL), Ghana's oldest producer of crude oil.

Story by: MacSedem Sorkpor Quophy

Ghana 🇬🇭