Bordering on French speaking Togo, the Volta Region holds sway to some of the most amazing picturesque beauty. And some of the landmarks that give the region its beauty include hills, mountains, valleys, lagoons, waterfalls and rivers. The region sits on coastal plains stretching through the Atlantic coast, and climatic conditions are not any different from the entire region. It also boasts of some of the most amazing white sand beaches clothed in mangroves, which delight tourists who have consistently found a reason to indulge in pleasure after the week- long office stress.
Though the sea can be rough, as it is normal on certain days, visitors can be guaranteed great time around the sandy beaches of Cape St. Paul Beach, Woe, near Keta, Dzelukope , as well as Denu for those heading out to Aflao and beyond.
There is pretty much everything that one can find in the Volta Region. But some of the exciting and, perhaps, outstanding landmarks that would drive people towards the place include the ever fascinating mountain Afadjato.
Often referred to as Ghana’s Kilimanjaro, it lies in a distance of about 24km between Hohoe and Gbledi. At an altitude of 880m, the mountain is located in the Agumatsa Range and the name is derived from the Ewe word of Avadzeto meaning ‘at war with bush.’ Though several visitors have come up with their own descriptions of the mountain, the most fascinating one is by a writer who said the mountain is “shaped like a traditional yarn mound and covered with luxuriant tropical forest. Its area is well-known for its biodiversity richness.”
It is also a scene of about 300 species of butterflies and mammals. Mona and spot nosed monkeys are also exciting attractions that tourists are likely to see when they visit the mountain. There is no age barrier to tourists who intend to climb up to the mountain however; one must be in the mood to indulge in the exercise. It could be fun but scary at the same time for those who do not have the hearts and love for heights.
Also, the Wli falls near Hohoe in the tropical forest is fed all year round by running water from the Agumatsa River, and is also an exciting hideout for tourists. There are more than ten log bridges along the way before one gets to the falls, and it is lovely going through the entire logs one after the one. The river gives a very sensual smell, good enough to lure one to take a swim. There are also bats around the cliffs surrounding the falls but that should not disturb the intimacy between one and the falls. The Liate Wote is also an interesting sight tourists would find exciting on a weekend on a pleasure trip. There are other falls such as Tagbo which also evokes similar sensations and excitement, just as those mentioned above.
Animal lovers are also not left out of the fun as the Kalakpa Game Reserve offers some of the most beautiful and friendly animals in the country. The scenery around the reserve is lively with birds such as francolins, kingfishers, swallows, believed to have migrated from Europe during the winter periods, all finding a home there. Other animal species include buffalo, kob, bush-bucks and monkeys. It however advisable for visitors to be careful not to be carried away by excitement so they play into the hands of any poisonous or wild animal.
Culturally, Voltarians are very much attached to their traditional music and dance of Borborbor, a dance performed by all the sexes. It is colour to see the men with their cloths tied, firmly, around their waist while they take to the dance floor. It has to do more with a very rhythmic movements of the hands coiled in a triangle form without one of the bars. Dancers will have to move their hands soon as the heavy drums begin to sound. First time visitors are luckily to see such creative dance during the festival of Hogbetsotso, one of the biggest on the traditional festival calendar in the country.
Volta Region may not have the huge slave edifices as in Cape Coast or Elmina, but it does have its own history. Once occupied by the Germans centuries before Ghana became independent, the Germans lost soon after the Second World War ended in the middle of 1940s. There are German relics to confirm their presence, and could be found in places such as Kpando, Adaklu, Keta-Krachi and Ho, believed to be the seat of the German Colonial Administration. Research admits the existence of a mud building at Abutia Agove believed to have been used as retreat by the former German Governor. A military camp site made out of metamporphic rocks still exists at Kete-Krachi.
Nii Okpoti Osabutey. |
