By Ernest Bako, B&FT
Maclean Kwofie, Graphic Business
Jennifer Ambolley, The Chronicle newspaper
Wonder Hagan, GhanaWeb
Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah, Times/Spectator.
(This article was produced as a group work from a training programme organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa to train journalists)
Lodging in a serene environment with a very conducive abode is satisfying to the mind, body and soul.
The Hephzibah Christian Centre (HCC), hidden in the verdant green Hills of Peduase, has increasingly become the favourite home of many Christian and other religious groups.
Despite its disability-unfriendly nature, it is admired for its iconic cozy atmosphere. Since its inception in 2002 the facility often welcomes about 128 guests per month on average, and approximately 1,500 each year.
With the upsurge of hotels and guest-houses in this part of the country, the centre particularly stands out because of its unique features and antiques beyond its location.
For a start, the rooms and blocks names are head-spinners to most first-timers. Names like kindness, gladness, worship, Nhyira, creation and beauty among others will definitely fascinate any guest.
A senior staff member of the centre, Ivy Asare, in an interview with the media at the centre explained that the names have interesting connotations.
“The concept behind naming the rooms and blocks of the facility with Christian words is to communicate a value to the occupant or guest to try as much as possible to live by the word or to motivate the person,” she said
Yes, it serves Christians but the doors are open to everyone else including guests from other religious backgrounds; and their reason is simple – soul-winning.
Their values however remain one: to promote discipline and holiness, and that will not be bent under any circumstance, Ms. Asare disclosed.
“We encourage people about good moral living here. We do not sell products that do not conform to Christian values, especially alcoholic drinks.
“We do not play worldly songs, we do not allow short time (booking just to have sex and leave); tribalism is not encouraged, and other religions are allowed to come because we believe that an experience here will influence them to convert to the Christian faith,” she added.
Their plan appears to be working so far, but there are some cracks: there is no gym or swimming pool.
Their reason for this will amaze you. Apparently it is strategic – management has put this in place to avoid awkward situations, wherein guests who have paid to use the place wear ‘tempting’ costumes to swim or gym that will not be comfortable for other guests and a confrontation may generate inconvenience.
The absence of wheelchair-ramps makes it worse. There are no wheelchair-ramps for physically challenged individuals, which makes movement difficult for such persons.
But with frantic efforts on the part of management to provide disability-friendly structures in accordance with Ghana’s Disability Act 715 that gives Persons with disabilities (PWDs) unrestricted access to public places and buildings, perhaps there may be some hope soon enough.
Interestingly, the name of the centre seems to be reflecting on community members who are happy about the impact since its opening.
Elizabeth Ampedu, a resident of Peduase near the centre, indicates that the centre’s presence has made the place busy and consequently averted robbery cases. “For 20 years, not a single robbery incident has been recorded; and this keeps the place calm, peaceful and untroubled,” she said.
The Christian element of this centre, according to residents, has ensured discipline in the community because of the values enforced by management. Guests who patronise the place do so with this in mind and some form of discipline is maintained.
The location of Hepzibah Christian Centre places it in the heart of many other competitors. Hotels including Hilburi, Cactus Creek and Peduase Lodge, among others, have similar services and are rather more flexible.
Other facilities, for instance, make room for pool and gym services which are unavailable at Hephzibah. The costs here, however, are relatively affordable compared to the others in the enclave.
Regardless of its many positive attributes, some guests bemoan the non-existence of variety in their food menu – particularly for dinner. While it leaves them with very limited choices, some are faced with the battle of allergic reactions.
It is without doubt that a holistic hospitality facility such as Hephzibah Christian Centre creates the conditions for a healthy environment devoid of vices in the community.
