TOURISM AT ITS BEST IN VOLTA REGION

By Kerstin Tschernigg

Breathtaking moments and odd logics in the region of the world’s largest man-made water reservoir

A diversity of cultures never seen in a quiet place such as the Volta Region’s Wli Waterfalls impressed volunteers from all over the United States and Europe, who encountered a Ghanaian dancing crowd at the lower waterfalls, less than an hour away from Hohoe in the Volta Region.

Taking off on a rainy Friday, the weather forecast did not leave room for rejoicing about sudden sunshine. Surprisingly, the three-day weekend went by without a single rain drop, which made the stay worthwhile.

The departure day went well and all buses were on time to take four volunteers from the Central Region to Lake Volta.

Lake Volta as well as the region surrounding the world’s largest man-made water reservoir offer a breathtaking view as well as opportunities to commune with nature by a three-hour climb up the steps and stones to a gift of Mother Nature, the Wli Waterfalls.

The climb-up to the upper waterfalls could have been slightly shorter in time as far as the heart rate was concerned, but all Ghanaian tour guides brought the group of volunteers through the obstacle course safely.

The group broke into deafening cheers when the waterfall was reached after an exhausting walk over hills, through bush and narrow tracks, which called for the need for sudden ballet skills.

Economic activities such as farming, fishing and animal rearing can be taken up throughout the region, but require a longer stay.

The volunteers who were accommodated at a local German-lead hotel had not yet adapted upon arrival as it seemed peculiar to charge a meal, which had never been ordered, in addition to one free breakfast for two people staying in a double room.

As an excuse for the rip-off, the seemingly rich hotel manager took the volunteers to town in her SUV before going to church. On Sundays, the crowds on Hohoe’s streets seemed to have disappeared whereas silent chanting from both churches and mosques could be heard throughout the entire city. 

Not too far off, on the return day, noise came through the busiest place on a Sunday – a Tro-Tro station. “Obruni,” they shouted, a word typically encountered at Tro-Tro stands all around Ghana. For a GHC 8.00 ride to Accra, they enjoyed the lack of space between the passengers, since the air-conditioning was set to the highest.

From Accra, the best vehicle to go to Cape Coast by is the STC bus as far as safety is concerned. Since the next luxurious bus was to arrive two hours late, the decision to take a Tro-Tro back seemed the most preferable. “Kumasi! Kumasi?” – “Cape Coast!” – “Takoradi?” – “Cape Coast!” – “Cape Coast?” – “How much?” – “GHC 200.00, but shared between the four of you.” Remaining unbelieving about the deal the Tro-Tro driver suggested, the volunteers finally bought a seat on a bright red air-conditioned mini bus, including a television set that showed Ghanaian soap operas, for only GHC 9.00 each until the final destination, Cape Coast, was reached.

Both seeing the waterfalls as well as the entire journey up to Volta Region were by far the best part of the three-week stay in Ghana. Living on Ghanaian time though needed some adaption and the two hours of power haggling were worth its price. Rome was not built in a day either.