Odumase-Krobo is the traditional capital of the Manya Krobo State and the seat of the Konor, the Klo Matse. It is also the capital of the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region. The Greenwich Meridian crosses the city, with a marker at Milla near the Konor’s Palace. The spot has become a popular photo stop for visitors. The town was founded by Nene Odorkor Azu, the founder of the Odumase-Nam dynasty, dating back to the early s. He established the settlement long before the colonial government forcefully evicted the Krobo people from the Krobo Mountain on Saturday, July . His vision and leadership gave rise to what would become the political and cultural centre of the Manya Krobo State.
The town is one of the few places in the world where Christianity and tradition meet and continue to co-exist beautifully. A historic Presbyterian presence stands close to Konor Wem, where the Manya Klo Palace (built between 1870 and ) and one of the earliest Presbyterian church buildings in the country (the Odumase Presby Chapel, which was first built in ) share one civic space, just about metres apart, separated only by a road. The town carries both iconic heritage buildings with ease.
Life in Odumase-Krobo moves to the rhythm of craft, farming, and trade. Beads are its signature art. The town is known for its skilled beadmakers, whose work carries stories of ancestry, beauty, and identity. Every Wednesday and Saturday, Odumase-Krobo and nearby Agomanya burst into colour as traders, tourists, and collectors meet at the bustling bead markets.
The town also hosted the first Ghana International Beads Festival, attracting artisans and buyers from across the country and the world. Odumase-Krobo stands as the headquarters of Dangme culture and tradition. Heritage and festivals shape its rhythm and identity. Each year, the Ngmayem Festival fills the streets and courtyards with drumming, dance, and customary rituals.
The Dipo rite of passage, one of the Dangme people’s most cherished customs, is performed and preserved with dignity. Visitors are welcome to observe, learn, and appreciate the deep meanings behind these traditions. The town also hosts the ancient shrines of the Jemlelihi (corrupted as Jemeli), the priestly order that guided the Dangme people before the emergence of chieftaincy and modern forms of government. Among these are the Kloweki Shrine at Kodjonya, the Okumo Shrine at Mampong, and the Nause Shrine at Agomanya Lomodje.
These sacred sites remain places of heritage, historical learning, and cultural tourism, offering visitors insight into the spiritual foundations of Dangme society. From a newly instituted Dipo and Beads Heritage Festival will take place in April or May each year and promises to draw tourists from far and near to experience the beauty of Krobo culture and the creativity of the Krobo people. Education has a long tradition in Odumase-Krobo.
It is the town that birthed and hosted the Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC) for its first establishment in years, right from its as the first Presbyterian boys’ secondary school in the Gold Coast before its move to Legon (Mile ) in September . Krobo Girls’ Presbyterian Senior High remains a local beacon alongside several other secondary schools.
Mount Mary College of Education started in Agomanya, a suburb of Odumase-Krobo, before it was relocated to Adjikpo Yokunya, another suburb. Similarly, a government Nursing and Midwifery Training College serves the municipality and the larger Ghanaian public. The town has produced individuals of international repute.
It is the birthplace of Erasmus Ransford Tawiah Madjitey, the first Ghanaian to head the Police Service; Docia Naki Kisseh, Ghana’s first nurse and President of the Registered Nurses’ Association; Mrs. Elsie Mabel Atta Sowah (Nee Djabanor), one of Ghana’s first two female pharmacists to have been trained and licensed in It is also the hometown of Prof. Felix Konotey-Ahulu, a world-renowned scholar of sickle-cell disease and distinguished medical practitioner.
Odumase-Krobo also serves as a centre for health care in the area. The Atua Government Hospital provides medical services to the municipality and beyond, while St. Martin de Porres Hospital at Agomanya supports the surrounding communities. With an increasing population, additional healthcare centres and the expansion of existing ones would serve the wider Krobo region even better.
This historic town sits at the centre of the Krobo area, connecting the lower plains to the upper farming communities. Its location along the corridor from Kpong to Somanya and from Akuse to Akateng makes it a natural hub for trade and transport. Roads converge here, linking markets, schools, hospitals, and workshops into one active network for growth. The town’s position offers strong potential for industrialisation and enterprise.
The stretch from Atua to Kpong provides serviced land and easy access to major highways, ideal for light manufacturing, agro-processing, and service industries. Local value chains in beads, fish, and fruits, especially mangoes, can expand and supply regional and export markets. With banks, logistics services, and small industries already taking root, Odumase-Krobo is poised to become a key centre for commerce and innovation in the Eastern Region.
It is a town ready for investment. In conclusion, Odumase-Krobo is a land of endless opportunities. It is the cradle of Dangme culture, the seat of the Konor of Manya Krobo (the Klo Matse), and a citadel of education in Ghana. From its early schools and mission landmarks to its vibrant markets and creative industries, the town continues to inspire learning, enterprise, and cultural pride. Visitors can meet master beadmakers, visit the exhibitions, and see how tradition shapes modern craft.
The Greenwich Meridian marker at Milla and the Yogaga are must-sees, while the Ngmayem Festival (instituted in 1945 to continue the instituted Hiɛyem festival) and Dipo nubility rite of old offer rare windows into Krobo and Dangme life.
Tour the site of the original Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC), visit Krobo Girls’ High School, or end the day at the Konor’s palace, where drums roll into the night. Its central location, fertile lands, and strong institutions make it ideal for light industry, agro-processing, banking, and tourism investment.
Bead markets, concerts, school networks, and festival grounds provide year-round avenues for partnership and engagement. This is a town of heritage in motion, anchored in culture, alive with energy, and open to the future.
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Source: 132nd Ngmayem Festival 2025 Brochure.
