Connect with us

Hot!

Kwahu goes frenzy …as revelers celebrate Easter at Paragliding Festival

A cross-section of chiefs seated during the opening of the Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival

A cross-section of chiefs seated during the opening of the Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival

 The Kwahu Township was thrown into a carnival mood when hundreds of tourists stormed the area to celebrate the 2024 Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival that ended on Monday, April 1.

The four-day celebration which kicked off on Friday (Good Friday) attracted visitors from all corners of the country and beyond the country’s borders.

It was used to commemorate the Easter celebration of Christians.

Advertisement

The climax of the celebration was the paragliding session that saw a huge number of revelers queue for that lifetime experience flying across the mountainous Kwahu area.

With seasoned pilots including Jona­than Quaye from Ghana, Chuck Smith, Blake Pelton and Ed Stein from the USA, Okada Naohisa from Japan, Edu­ardo Reategui from Peru, and Hagan Muhlich from Germany in attendance, tourists were assured of a beautiful experience of having an aerial view of the Kwahu area topography.

A flight from the Odweanoma Moun­tain near Atibie in the Kwahu South Municipality of the Eastern region cost interested tourists GH¢1,000.

Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, (fourth from left), CEO OF GTA, Mr Akwasi Agyeman and other dignitaries in a group photo with pilots
Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong, (fourth from left), CEO OF GTA, Mr Akwasi Agyeman and other dignitaries in a group photo with pilots

With a large crowd to applaud every move and skill displayed by the pilots, the tourists were flown beautifully across Mpraeso, Atibie, Obomeng and Abetifi mountains before landing safe­ly at the Nkawkaw Sports Stadium.

One passenger and tourist, Abraham Smith told The Spectator he was glad to be part of the festival and revealed that he had a lot to tell family and friends about his exciting experience.

Advertisement

In his view, the festival was exciting and a lot of people must be told about it to also enjoy that experience of a lifetime.

Mr Acheampong, Mr Agyeman and other dignitaries
Mr Acheampong, Mr Agyeman and other dignitaries

Aside the paragliding and other fun activities, there was a boom in eco­nomic activities at the site as food, water and other vendors cashed in on the occasion.

One boiled egg seller, Akosua Antwi shared with The Spectator how her wares got sold up and had to rush home to get more to sell.

Mr. Kwasi Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Tourism Authority giving keynote address
Mr. Kwasi Agyeman, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Tourism Authority giving keynote address

“I sold a crate of boiled eggs in no time and had to go home to prepare more for sale. This activity boosts sales and economic activities in the area. I wish the Ghana Tourism Au­thority (GTA) would sustain it and add other activities to explore the tourism potential in the area,” she added.

Opening the festival, the Minis­ter-designate for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Andrew Egyapa Mercer recognised its significance and impact on the local economy of Kwahu and highlighted its contribution to reve­nue generation through employment creation for the Kwahu people.

He said the festival has also allowed for cultural heritage preservation and environmental assets, and has en­hanced the appeal of Kwahu as a tour­ist destination, leading to an increase in the number of visitors and generate revenue for the local tourism industry.

Advertisement
Mr. Mark Okraku Mantey - Deputy Minister of Tourism delivering his speech
Mr. Mark Okraku Mantey – Deputy Minister of Tourism delivering his speech

 The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GTA, Mr Akwasi Agyeman said the event has become the fulcrum for adventure and sightseeing activities that has attracted hundreds of tourists from all over the world to witness the paragliding festival since 2005.

“For instance, in 2016, we attracted 60 tourists and raised the peak to 248 in 2019 and since then, every year, the number keeps growing, thanks to the resilience of our pilots who have come in from all over the world and we acknowledge the work done by the community and assemblies as well.

Some security personnel were present
Some security personnel were present

He commended the Ministry of Roads and Highways for commencing the construction of the road leading to the paragliding sites and urged the contrac­tor to expedite action and finish before the 2025 edition.

The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Seth Acheampong said the festival had become a hallmark of the region and has not only brought joy and excite­ment to all but also played a crucial role in boosting the tourism indus­try and contributed to the economic growth of the locals in the country.

Some paragliding scenes
Some paragliding scenes

Nana Kwadjo Boama, representative of the Chief of Kwahu Atibiehene, said the chiefs were excited about the event and its associated benefits and called on the authorities to develop the other tourist sites in the Kwahu enclave.

 From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Kwahu Atibie

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Hot!

Zipline, GHS reduce maternal mortality in Ashanti Region by 56.4% – Study

A recent impact assessment study on aerial logistics to improve maternal health and emergencies has revealed a remarkable reduction in maternal mortality by 56.4% in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Zipline and the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

This was revealed at the National Ghana Health Service Research Conference organized by the Ghana Health Service in partnership with Zipline. The study, which focused on the impact of aerial logistics in healthcare, also noted a 19.9% increase in antenatal visits and a 25% rise in in-facility births, signaling a significant boost in maternal health outcomes.

The success according to the study is attributed to the on-demand availability of blood and essential medical supplies provided by Zipline’s innovative drone delivery system. This consistent access to critical resources has increased patient confidence in the healthcare system, encouraging more mothers to seek necessary care throughout their pregnancies.

Speaking on the highlight of the study, the Research Officer at Ashanti Regional Health Directorate stated, “the significant decrease in maternal mortality we’ve seen is a clear indication of the vital role that reliable access to medical supplies plays in healthcare. The ability to deliver blood and essential medicines exactly when they’re needed has transformed how mothers in the Ashanti Region perceive and engage with the healthcare system.”

“It’s an achievement that speaks to the importance of introducing technology in healthcare delivery. Mothers now feel more confident in seeking care, knowing that they will receive the support they need throughout their pregnancies,”he stated.

Advertisement

The study examined data from 191 health facilities, including hospitals, health centers, and Community-based Health and Planning Services (CHPS) Compounds. Among these, 99 facilities were served by Zipline’s aerial logistics, while 91 were not. The research employed adjusted rates for various key indicators, such as antenatal consultations, emergency visits, referrals, live births, hysterectomies, maternal deaths, and neonatal deaths, as the main dependent variables.

The qualitative aspect of the study aimed to describe and analyze the changes in satisfaction levels among healthcare providers and patients, perceived quality of care in maternal health and emergencies, and experiences related to the use of aerial logistics. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 patients and 23 healthcare providers at the participating facilities.

Globally, maternal mortality remains a critical public health challenge, with stark disparities between high-income and low-to-middle-income countries (LMICs).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the majority of maternal deaths occur in LMICs, often due to preventable causes. In Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti Region, the problem is critical, reflecting the broader challenges faced across the African continent. Beyond this, socio-economic, geographic, and infrastructural factors intensify the risks associated with pregnancy and childbirth, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to improve maternal health outcomes.

Advertisement

As maternal mortality continues to pose a challenge in low-to-middle-income countries, the success seen in Ghana’s Ashanti Region offers a promising model for other regions and nations striving to improve maternal health outcomes through innovative solutions. 

Zipline is poised to continue leading the way in revolutionizing healthcare delivery, ensuring that every mother has access to the life-saving resources, no matter where she lives.

Continue Reading

Hot!

Traders, ‘Okada’ riders take over Circle pavement

•Korle-Bu CEO with staff of Nivaansh MediQas

• Korle-Bu CEO with staff of Nivaansh MediQas

Activities of traders and drug addicts are contributing to make the Kwame Nkrumah Interchange (Circle) area very uncomfortable and unsafe for commuters.

Day in and out, pedestrians are ‘ejected’ from the pavement created for their safety as traders preferred to sell their wares on that space.

That hinders the free movement of the pedestrians.

The small space left for the pedestrians are also shared with ‘Okada’ riders.

Advertisement

As if these woes are not enough for a commuter on a single day, they also have to navigate carefully to avoid clashes with drug addicts and the mentally challenged.

These people have turned the pavements into their places of abode, covering every inch of space with their wares.

Our photographer, Lizzy Okai, captures some of the unfriendly scenes the authori­ties must try and deal with to restore sanity to the area.

 By Lizzy Okai

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending