Agriculture

Akim Oda's economy relies heavily on cocoa, which is grown both on formal plantations and informally along the roads. The harvested beans are dried and stored in warehouses until they are ready to be shipped.

The Birim River's northern region hosts a number of palm oil plantations, occupying an area of roughly 6,000 hectares. These plantations are mostly small-scale and independently owned.

The production of palm oil generates various byproducts that can be utilized for other purposes. One of these byproducts is palm kernel cake, which is rich in fatty acids and can be used as a raw material for soap-making. Another crop that is cultivated in Akim Oda is bamboo, which has multiple applications in different sectors. Bamboo can be processed into furniture, flooring, paper, and even building materials, making it a versatile and sustainable resource.^[2]

Mining

The Birim river, which flows through the town of Akim Oda, is a source of valuable minerals such as gold and diamonds. Local miners use traditional methods to extract these resources from the river bank, often with simple tools and equipment.^[2]

Forestry

The forests near Akim Oda are home to many precious trees, but they are also exploited for timber. Ghana's forest cover has shrunk from 8.2 million hectares in 1900 to 1.6 million hectares in 2000 and is still decreasing rapidly due to the high demand for exports and construction from the growing Ghanaian economy. To counter this trend, forest plantations are being established near Akim Oda (and across the country) under the National Forest Plantation Development Programme.^[4]

Tourism

Akim Oda offers visitors a variety of experiences, from exploring the mining operations on dug-out boats to witnessing traditional ceremonies with Akan drumming to admiring the largest tree in West Africa. The tree measures 12 meters in circumference and 66.5 meters in height. The outdoor market is also a lively place to sample Ghanaian food and interact with the locals.^[5]