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TOUGHA embarks on thrilling exploration of Greater Accra Region in final nationwide tour
The Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) concluded its nationwide tour with a grand finale in the Greater Accra Region from July 1-3.
This three-day event marked the culmination of TOUGHA’s extensive exploration of Ghana’s diverse regions, showcasing the beauty and potential of the country’s capital region.
From Krokrobite to Dodowa, Ada and Prampram, the tour highlighted some of the most captivating sites and attractions in Greater Accra.
This final leg of the journey was designed to be the most memorable, featuring a mix of engaging activities and opportunities for tour operators to familiarize themselves with local tourism products and business connections.
Day One: Krokrobite and Shai Hills
The tour kicked off with visits to several hospitality establishments in the Krokrobite area. President Alisa Osei-Asamoah noted that these visits are crucial for them to understand the current state of the hospitality industry and to make informed recommendations for improvements.
“The beach-front facilities in Krokrobite offer immense potential for boosting our tourism sector and we are concerned not just with the facilities, but the condition of the roads that lead to these facilities. It is our hope that government will fix the roads that are currently in very deplorable state and negatively affectiing the business of hospitality and tourism establishments here,”she said.
The group then visited the Shai Hills Resource Reserve, where they observed diverse wildlife and toured the Museum of Nature and Cultural Heritage.
The day concluded with a visit to the Chenku Waterfall in Dodowa, offering a lush and idyllic environment for relaxation and exploration.
“Chenku Waterfall is one of those hidden treasures that we believe can attract a significant number of tourists with the right promotion and infrastructure,” Mrs. Osei-Asamoah said.
Day Two: Ada Adventures
The second day was filled with exciting activities, beginning with a delightful cruise on the Volta River to Ada Island Zoo (Crocodile Island), where tour operators observed local wildlife. The Volta River cruise and the Ada Island Zoo provide a perfect combination of natural beauty and wildlife, which is a major draw for eco-tourism enthusiasts.
The journey continued to Konkpo Panya (Big Ada), renowned for its clam mining and processing activities and vibrant marketplace. A stop at Alorkpem Island provided first-hand insights into the islanders’ mat weaving craftsmanship.
The TOUGHA President said,“Witnessing the craftsmanship of the islanders at Alorkpem was truly inspiring. Their dedication to preserving traditional skills is commendable.”
The Nkyinkyim Museum offered a poignant tour with its sculpted heads of enslaved Africans, bold murals of Pan-African movement figures, and other symbolic art pieces.
According to Mrs. Osei-Asamoah “The Nkyinkyim Museum is a powerful reminder of our history and the resilience of our people. It is an essential stop for anyone interested in understanding our cultural heritage.”
In keeping with TOUGHA’s tradition, the day included a donation to the Brigitte and Bobby Sherman Children’s Foundation. Osei-Asamoah stated, “Giving back to the community has always been a core value of TOUGHA. We are committed to supporting initiatives that uplift and empower our people.”
Day Three: Prampram and the African Ancestral Wall
The final day of the tour featured a visit to the African Ancestral Wall in Prampram. The wall, adorned with murals of Pan-African and Black Emancipation Champions, served as a fitting end to the nationwide tour that began in 2021.
The African Ancestral Wall is a profound tribute to the heroes of the Pan-African and Black Emancipation movements. It is a site that evokes pride and reflection.
Reflecting on the tour, President Alisa Osei-Asamoah expressed gratitude to all who participated and supported the initiative. “On behalf of TOUGHA, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has been part of this journey. Our sponsors, the Ghana Tourism Authority, and most importantly, our enthusiastic TOUGHA executives and members, have shown immense commitment. Their participation has been pivotal in making our domestic tourism promotion agenda extremely fruitful.”
She added, “This grand finale in the Greater Accra Region is a testament to the rich and diverse experiences our country has to offer. We are excited about the future of Ghana’s tourism industry and remain dedicated to promoting our nation as a premier travel destination.”
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Swedru All Blacks back to winning ways, Roshan humble King Faisal
Sekondi Rospak FC made it eight wins in eight successive home games after three second-half goals from John Amoah, Joseph Ntow and Stephen Anthony Kofi. John Amoah opened the scoring in the 55th minute after a barren first half. Joseph Ntow added to the tally in the 56th minute before Stephen Anthony Kofi rounded things up in the 74th minute to give Rospak a 3-0 win over former Premier League side King Faisal.
Elsewhere at Swedru – leaders Swedru All Blacks humbled PAC Academy in an emphatic 2-0 win. Zayat Bubakari scored first for Swedru All Blacks in the 27th minute before Rudolf Junior Nana Kwasi Mensah made it 2-0 in the 34th minute. Swedru All Blacks are top of the table with 36 points – 4 points ahead of second placed Rospak FC.
Meanwhile, Former Premier League side Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs recorded their fourth successive home victory after beaten New Edubiase United 2-1 at the Robert Mensah Park. Enoch Odoom struck first for Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs in the 19th minute but Steven Asante equalized for New Edubiase United before halftime. After the interval, Godfred Eshun scored from distance in the 65th minute to help Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs secure all the points.
Here are the results in Zone Two
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Cervical Cancer alert: Avoid sex at early age
The Programmes Manager of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr Mary Efua Commeh, has advised young girls to avoid sex at an early age.
This, she explained, will give the cervix the opportunity to mature before they become sexually active.
“You need to delay what we call the first sexual intercourse as much as possible to give the cervix the opportunity to mature before the person becomes sexually active,” she said.
Dr Commeh stated this in an interview with The Spectator in Accra on Tuesday as a part of the Cervical Cancer awareness month.
According to her, cervical cancer was the second leading female cancer in Ghana with a total of about 3,072 cases annually, and out of that, 1,815 deaths are recorded, representing more than 50 per cent.
She indicated that “If young girls are going to be sexually active, then you need to talk to your parents about being vaccinated.”
She explained that vaccinating young girls against human papillomavirus (HPV) has been found to be a very effective way of preventing cervical cancer.
“There are countries that started HPV vaccination years ago and they are not seeing any cervical cancers now because they would have eliminated most of the high-risk HPVs in their women. So if the high-risk HPV is not there, then obviously the results on cervical cancers are going to go down,” she added.
Dr Commmey said the HPV vaccination is recommended for young girls aged nine to 14 years, adding that it had been found to be highly effective, not just for cervical cancers but for other HPV-related cancers, such as anal cancers, cancers of the vagina, genital warts, amongst others.
She further elaborated that the idea is to put up a barrier before the HPV comes in and that once a young female encounters it, she is already protected.
She also mentioned that for cervical cancers, the main cause is called HPV infection, saying generally, all sexually active women acquire HPV at some point in their lives.
However, the Programmes Manager of NCDs at the GHS mentioned that the body has a way of clearing the HPV, explaining that it is a natural mechanism that goes on, unfortunately, there are a few women whose HPV persists.
Moreover, she noted that the numbers for Cervical Cancer tend to be much higher because at times, clients would wait, and try all sorts of medications before they finally report to the health facility saying “we actually lose some women before they get to the hospitals with over 75 per cent of the cases coming in its third and fourth stages.”
Dr Commey, therefore, called for public awareness while ensuring the availability of information for prevention and control.
By Jemima Esinam Kuatsinu
