By: Ernest Bako WUBONTO
The Paramount Chief of Kwahu Traditional Area, Daasebre Akuamoah Boateng III, is inviting investors to capitalise on the thriving Kwahu Easter Paragliding initiative and promote year-round activities.
The Kwahumanhene, in a bid to harness the power of tourism – a hallmark of Kwahu – to boost economic activities in the area for growth and development, has announced the opening-up of viable ecotourism opportunities for all entrepreneurs and investors, both Ghanaian and foreign.
Over the past decade, Easter festivities in Ghana have become synonymous with Kwahu. But beyond the Easter period, Daasebre envisages an ideal situation where tourists can visit Kwahu at any time of the year to explore not just the paragliding but also numerous tourist sites and activities atop the mountain.
“I don’t believe ‘Kwahu ooo, Kwahu’ should end when the Easter festivities end. Many Ghanaians and people around the continent even fly to Dubai throughout the year to experience paragliding. So, why is paragliding done at Kwahu only during Easter?” he quizzed.
Additionally, he said: “All the beautiful things in Kwahu, aside from the paragliding, cannot be experienced only once a year. So, I am very keen to open the doors to entrepreneurs as I seek to harness the economic opportunities in tourism for development.”
Daasebre emphasised his desire to capitalise on the strategic location and unique resources of Kwahu to turn the area into the country’s leading tourist destination. “I want to see paragliding being done in Kwahu every day of the 365 days in a year.”
In line with government’s 24-hour economic policy, Daasebre stressed his commitment to support entrepreneurs and investors in any way possible to ensure 24-hour tourism and economic activities thrive in the Kwahu enclave.
“The Kwahu Traditional Council’s new tourism agenda is to showcase the beauty of our unique location. In the area of health, the serene environment, sceneries, agricultural activities, top-standard hotels and hospitality facilities make it the best for keeping citizens healthy,” he added.
Also recognised as a farming community, Daasebre assured tourists of healthy, fresh foods produced from organic farms and wildlife – relevant for their good health.
Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) as partners
The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), a state agency under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, regulates and promotes sustainable tourism in Ghana through marketing, licencing, research and development of tourism facilities and services. It intends to make Ghana a leading tourism destination in West Africa.
For Kwahuman to achieve its intended objectives, Daasebre in an exclusive interview mentioned that his office has engaged the GTA with this core mandate to properly outline tourism investment opportunities and professionally gather data to appeal for investors and partners in sustainable projects.
“I have engaged the GTA to support my agenda of showcasing the beauty, health benefits and historic sites in our environment, among others, to the world. We, the indigenes of Kwahu, have invested first in all the best hotels one can find around here, so we want more investment to advance it to the next level.
“All stress without rest will kill citizens slowly and reduce productivity, so we want to be the ideal location for relaxation in the nation.”
