Koforidua was founded in 1875 by Akans. It was served by a station on the Ghana Railway network. Koforidua is one of the country�s oldest cocoa-producing centres. With the completion in 1923 of the Accra-Kumasi railway, it became an important road and rail junction. As cocoa production has moved westward to areas of virgin soil, Koforidua has become increasingly dependent upon its commercial and administrative functions. The town has only small-medium scale industries today. Industrial activities include the production of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, textiles, crafts, soap, carpentry and joinery, traditional medicine, pottery and ceramics.
Favourable weather conditions, as well as suitable soil types constitute a recipe for the production of food and cash crops. Agricultural crops include cassava, kola, maize, plantain, cocoyam, citrus, palm oil, kennel oil, tomatoes, onions, black pepper, mushrooms and spices. Koforidua is also noted today for its weekly Thursday bead market that draws bead buyers and sellers from all over the region.
The 'Akwantukese' (The Big Journey Festival) is celebrated yearly to mark the movement of their ancestors from 'Ashanti' to their present location.
On July 6, 1992, the town was named the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Koforidua
