By Michael Foli Jackidy
Tafi-Atome/Amedzofe (V/R), May 17, GNA – Organizers of the “Visit Volta, Volta Fair” campaign, on Friday toured selected tourist sites across the Volta Region.
The campaign led by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) in collaboration with the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) Organizers of the “Visit Volta, Volta Fair” visited the sites assess their development potential and challenges.
The visit was also to enable the Volta Regional Minister and other key stakeholders to assess the development prospects, current conditions, and challenges facing major tourist attractions ahead of the 2025 Volta Fair.
The tour began at the Tafi-Atome Monkey Sanctuary and Cultural Village in the Afadzato South District, which is home to over 900 monkeys thriving in a 360-acre forest reserve. The team also visited Mount Gemi, the Amedzofe Canopy Walkway, and Ote Falls, all located in the Ho West District.
Mr. James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, said the tour marked the beginning of a renewed push to revamp the region’s tourism sector.
“The Volta Region is richly endowed with a wide range of tourist attractions. As a Regional Coordinating Council and as a government, we see the need for deliberate and strategic actions to unlock the tourism potential of our region,” he stated.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to providing critical infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and potable water but stressed that the full development of tourism sites would require strong private sector participation.
“Tourism is a powerful driver of local economic growth. It creates jobs in transportation, hospitality, catering, and retail. We need private investors to help develop these sites into viable destinations.”
The Minister revealed that the region has more than 120 known tourist sites, many of which remain underdeveloped or unknown.
“Every district and municipality in the Volta Region have at least one tourist attraction. Unfortunately, many are lying fallow. Our plan is to select and develop a few key sites and market them effectively.”
He appealed to the media to support the campaign by promoting the region’s diverse attractions to both domestic and international tourists.
“The media has a vital role to play. Help us tell the story of Volta. If we do this right, the region will see faster development.”
Mr Johnny Arthur-Quarm, Volta Regional Director of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), said the tour was the first in a series of four planned excursions to promote tourism across the region.
“We are leveraging digital platforms, including our website and social media channels like Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp, to promote these sites. For example, the Amedzofe Canopy Walkway offers a refreshing environment that even helps improve oxygen levels. We want people to experience this for themselves.”
He added that a comprehensive list of both well-known and hidden attractions had been compiled and submitted to the GTA’s Product Development Department for enhancement and marketing.
Site managers voiced concerns about poor access roads, lack of potable water, and limited infrastructure, all of which hinder tourism growth. Stakeholders agreed that addressing these issues would attract more visitors and stimulate local economic development.
Mr. Ayush Jindal, an Indian investor who joined the tour, expressed admiration for the region’s vast tourism potential.
“This visit has been a revelation. I’ve discovered two incredible tourist sites that clearly show how much potential the Volta Region holds for tourism development.”
He praised the Amedzofe Canopy Walkway, calling it one of the safest and most impressive globally.
“I’ve traveled extensively around the world, and I can confidently say that the canopy walkway here ranks among the very best.”
Mr. Jindal encouraged fellow investors to consider opportunities in Ghana, especially in the Volta Region.
“The experience—especially the combination of the canopy walks and nearby waterfall—is unforgettable. I strongly recommend my friends and investors consider Ghana. It is the safest country in Africa and offers enormous investment potential.”
The 2025 Visit Volta, Volta Fair is expected to serve as a premier platform to showcase the region’s tourism potential, investment prospects, and rich cultural heritage.
GNA
MA/AD