Economy
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Agriculture[edit]
Cactus at a beach in Cape Coast
Agriculture in the city is managed by the Department of Agriculture of the metropolitan area. The head of the department is Olympia Enyonam Williams . Results from a 2005 study found that Cape Coast has close to no irrigated vegetable farming taking place within the city proper except for the premises of the University of Cape Coast. Close to 90% of vegetables consumed by the city's residents come from sources such as Kumasi and as far as Togo and its border with Ghana.: 1 
The city's topography makes farming difficult to achieve. There are limited suitable areas that could be used for farming; those that meet the criteria are prone to floods. This makes Cape Coast and its surrounding areas one of the most water-scarce in Ghana, resulting in most of the residents resorting to fishing.: 2 
Fishing[edit]
A beach at Cape Coast occupied by fishers
Fishing provides a livelihood to most of the residents of Cape Coast, who live in the southern fishing communities. Trade, sewing, and carving are also sources of income alongside fishing. Children are also involved in the occupation as a way of participation and respect.
Due to the decline of fish populations, which many blamed on the fishing practice called 'Saiko,' where unwanted fish captured by large ships are exchanged at sea for goods such as fruit, water, and livestock bought by locals, fishers' livelihoods are at stake since their lives depend on the occupation.
Service[edit]
In recent years, 25.1% of Cape Coast's employed population works in service-related jobs, such as wholesale and retail. The city is home to the Kotokuraba Market, the largest market in the city. The triangular-shaped market was developed in the late 1930s by the colonial government. Since then, it has become one of the most significant sources of income for the municipal authority in the city, employing about 35% of the female employed population.
Tourism[edit]
See also: Tourism in Ghana
Cape Coast has been experiencing an increasing number of tourists due to attractions such as the Cape Coast Castle (World Heritage Site), the Kakum National Park, and the PANAFEST festival. Although access to areas such as compounds that house shrines, such as the "Tree Shrine," a silk cotton tree near Anaafo market, is prohibited. The city's infrastructure, however, is underdeveloped, impacting the quality of life for the residents and the overall experience of the tourists. As of 2000, there are no streets in the city that prioritize pedestrian access. Residents often are not aware of the role that they play in the tourism industry.
Cape Coast's tourism sector was looked after by the Central Regional Development Commission (CEDECOM). In order to fund the development of the sector, CEDECOM reached out to UNDP and USAID, which in turn contacted the Debt for Development Coalition (DDC) for a 'debt swap' arrangement. After cooperating with multiple parties, the Natural Resource Conservation and Historic Preservation project was launched. The project focused on the rehabilitation and transformation of the city's castles and fortresses into heritage creations and resulted in the creation of the Kakum National Park.
State visits[edit]
Barack Obama finishes an address following a tour with his family of Cape Coast Castle in Ghana on July 11, 2009Kamala Harris walking around Cape Coast Castle during her trip from March 26–29, 2023
Both former United States president Barack Obama and vice president Kamala Harris I have visited Cape Coast, along with the Cape Coast Castle. Obama visited on 11 July 2009, while Kamala arrived on 28 March 2023. Obama's trip marked the first time during his presidency that he had visited sub-Saharan Africa.
During Obama's visit to the castle, he made a remark to the castle's history with the history of African Americans . And I think, as Americans, and as African Americans, obviously there's a special sense that on the one hand this place was a place of profound sadness; on the other hand, it is here where the journey of much of the African American experience began. And symbolically, to be able to come back with my family, with Michelle and our children, and see the portal through which the diaspora began, but also to be able to come back here in celebration with the people of Ghana of the extraordinary progress that we've made because of the courage of so many, black and white, to abolish slavery and ultimately win civil rights for all people, I think is a source of hope. It reminds us that, as bad as history can be, it's also possible to overcome.
Non-governmental organisations[edit]
Cape Coast is home to many NGOs, some of which have limited human resources due to financial pushbacks. These NGOs address and confront social issues in the metropolitan area as a whole. Some NGOs with operations in the city are the Seeds of Sovereignty and the Abraham Smiles Foundation. A 2021 study's findings show that most people do show interest in participating in NGO-related activities, depending on what the organization in question revolves around.
