TOURISM HOT SPOT IN GHANA SITUATED IN THE KWAHU/AFRAM-PLAINS REGION
The Kwahu region, of which Afram Plains region forms part, is a tourism hot spot region in Ghana. The Kwahu region is the most popular region in Ghana for the yearly four (4) days of Easter celebrations, drawing as many as fifty thousand (50,000) people to the celebrations. The Kwahu’s are well known for their massive festivities of the Christian Easter celebrations. The Kwahu region, which Afram Plains forms part, learnt its self to tourism from as early as towards the end of the slave trade in 1828 in the 19th Century when the European Missionaries from Switzerland namely, the Basel Missionaries identified the mountainous region as ideal for habitation and for missionary work. The region fast became the resort of many Europeans who came into the Gold Coast (now Ghana) to ply their trade and has since been preferred by most Europeans because the is region serene.
In 1975, McWilliam and Kwabena Poh described the landscape of one of their towns-Abetifi, as “the Switzerland of the West Africa, with nights as cool as May nights in Europe”. It is easy to see why the Kwahu region became a growing attraction to foreigners and nationals as well.
Paragliding Festival
Ghana Paragliding Festival is an annual event held during Easter (usually in April). Seasoned Pilots from around the world are invited to fly hundreds of people during the four (4) days Easter celebration at Kwahu Atibie.
The Ghana Paragliding Festival (launched in 2005, by H.E late Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana) has become an integral part of the annual Kwahu Easter Festivities as a result of the mountainous nature of the Kwahu Region. The Paragliding Festival attracts both Ghanaians and foreigners alike for four (4) days of spectacular aerial fun, ceremony, and music. Tandem Paraglider Pilots gather from around the world to fly local Ghanaian spectators and foreign visitors. The festival is open to solo Pilots as well and boats consistent flying conditions that begin around mid-morning and remain soarable until late in the day. The thermals are consistently large and wild and offer a fantastic opportunity for both newer Pilots to gain valuable experience and airtime as well as for seasoned Pilots who want to enjoy hours of “stress-free” flying.
Economic Benefits
There are huge economic benefits involved in this tourism festival that the Government of Ghana is looking to capitalize on this huge unique tourism festivals event; to generate a targeted $2.3 billion revenue every year of this event. This underscores the economic and social importance, impact, and benefits of this 4 days Easter celebration festivities in the Kwahu region every year.
