town, southwestern Ghana, West Africa, on the west bank of the Ankobra River, about 60 mi (100 km) northwest of Cape coast. It is linked by railroad with Tarkwa and with Sekondi-Takoradi, both to the southeast. Prestea is a centre of trade for the surrounding agricultural region, which produces rice, cassava, corn (maize), taro, and timber. Industries produce beverages, soap, matches, salt, textiles, vegetable oils, cocoa products, glass, and wood and wood products. Prestea is one of the mining towns of Ghana where gold is mined and refined on a large scale. Other minerals mined include manganese, iron ore, and bauxite. It is the headquarters of the Prestea Oil Palm Estates. Pop. (2000) 21,844.