The Paramount Chief of Akwamu, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III, has led an enthusiastic youth on a hike through the Akwamu Conservation Forest Mountain trail as part of efforts to promote tourism in the region.
The exercise which was conducted on boxing day, Monday 26th December 2022, was on the sidelines of the year’s Odwira Akyi Adaekese celebrations.
Tourism in Ghana and the West African sub-region at large, has been a priority of the Akwamumanhene.
It would be recalled that at the ceremony in Akomsombo to launch the West African Eco-tourism Network (WAEN), he appreciated stakeholders for their decision to establish the organization to drive the course.
This was because tourism “is one of my main areas of focus during my tenure, and the work of the West Africa Eco-tourism Network aligns with my vision for promoting and attracting tourism to Ghana.”
In his appraisal, the chief described tourism as an industry “like an octopus, with many tentacles that interact with many other industries.”
The ecotourism tentacles, he furthered, have a strong grip on wildlife, plant life, local communities, and their various cultures, touching on areas of life that affect a greater population of people worldwide.
“In West Africa, the influence of ecotourism is even more remarkable because of the apparent value for local culture among the numerous ethnic groups and rural societies in the sub-region.”
Against this background, Odeneho Kwafo Akoto III incentivized the sub-regional heads to brace themselves for rich benefits through local activities.
“We had better begin to prepare as small communities and neighboring countries to receive the type of tourists that have a strong taste for nature brands of ecotourism.”
Having promised to assist the WAEN to accomplish its vision, and in line with his aspirations, the Chief on the boxing day led his people on the hike under the theme “Hiking for Life.”
The event was climaxed with other sporting activities including gymnastics, ping-pong also called Table Tennis, and checkers or draught among others at the Bogyawe Palace.
Below are more photos from the grounds:
