The major industrial activities in the municipality include micro and small scale manufacturing ranging from agro-processing, furniture works, construction, soap making and crafts. The high number of small scale industries (about 800) could promote economic of scale and improve efficiency.

There is also in existences National Board for small Scale Industries and Business Advisory Centre which provides tailor-made entrepreneurial, managerial and technical programmes for small scale businesses. Again, the municipality has potentials for industrial sites for industrial set-ups; and also good roads connecting Accra, Koforidua, Agona-Swedru, Asamankese, Nsawam and other urban centres.

Trade And Commerce

Commercial activities in the municipality are mainly centered on trading which involves wholesalers and retailers in primary commodities. These activities are undertaken mostly at the markets and lorry parks serving as income generating avenue for the Assembly. These markets are trading outlets for agric produce and imputes.

The municipal assembly has 15 daily markets and 8 periodic markets that are geographically distributed in the municipality. Greater volume of trade takes place at Akim oda, Akim Swedru, Manso, Aperade and Akroso markets. The biggest of these markets is the Akim Oda market covering an area of 1.3 hectares with an estimated trader population on market days being 751. The market can however accommodate only 500 traders causing a lot of congestion. This has compelled traders to encroach upon the only vehicular access to the market making it difficult to handle/control disaster like fire when there is an outbreak.

There is also a spill over onto the adjoining lorry parks where traders have extended their sheds into walkways and packing lots causing a lot of congestion. The Municipal Assembly in an effort to solve these problems in a form of decongestion has acquired a 2.73 square hectare of land at Nkwantanum about 2km from the existing market. Currently, the design for the project has been completed and efforts are being made to secure funds to implement the project.

A place of convenience has already been constructed by the Assembly as preparatory works towards the take off of the project. Moreover, the Municipal Assembly has constructed and rehabilitated other smaller markets by providing shed and stores at Manso, Asene, Asubua, Osorase, Akroso and Apolli markets with the aim of promoting trade and to increase revenue generated from commercial activities/sector.

Regarding satellite markets trader; farmers and domestic consumers usually gather at the nearest market in place like Nyamenti, Aperade, Akenkansu, Achiase etc to trade mainly on agricultural produce. Price are often negotiated based on demand and supply with farmers being mostly disadvantage

Mining

The municipality is endowed with rich mineral deposits including diamond and gold which has given rise to extensive small scale mining activities in some part of the municipality.

Quarrying

There is vast land out in the municipality and the aggregates used for building and construction works in and outside the municipality.