A GNA feature by Christopher Tetteh
Huhunya, (Eastern), March 26, GNA – The deplorable conditions of the Huhunya to the Boti Waterfalls is affecting patronage, slowing down the growth and development of the tourist attraction site.
“In fact, the road from the junction to the site is extremely horrible and stress experienced”, a first-time visitor to the waterfall, only known as Sammy shared his experience.
Boti Waterfalls
Located at Huhunya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region, the Waterfall is one of the nation’s oldest and most famous ecotourism destination sites.
It is a twin-waterfall at about 17 kilometers from Koforidua, the Eastern regional capital and discovered in 1906 by a farmer, Nene Tettey Ngwoa.
As the only twin-waterfall in the country, the Boti falls as popularly known is sourced from a river flowing from Ahenkwa, a farming community.
It flows from the top of an attractive range of rocky hill known as Boti, a name coined from “Ebuo no ti”, in the local parlance interpreted (top of a rock), and flows 30.5 metres height.
Mysteriously, the twin-waterfalls create beautiful rainbow scenic views any moment they merge, producing an interesting breeze for visitors.
Visitors do not only enjoy the breeze and echo that emanate from the waterfalls, but also experience climbing the 250 stairs up high to enjoy the canoe ride.
Interesting scenes
The waterfall enclave has an umbrella rock, three-headed palm tree, snake palm tree, and a prayer rock where religious bigots gather to worship. Visitors are always excited to behold the giant footprints on a rock, a sex organ and fertility stone, as well as the talking or sound caves.
Concerns
During a visit, Mariana Nartey, a native of Huhunya expressed concern about the poor condition of the road in the area, which she added had affected patronage for some time now.
That has also slowed down business activities of the locals and thereby increasing poverty level and economic hardship of many households in the area.
Investment opportunities
Nana Yaw, a tour guide at the waterfalls, explained that improving the road would not only attract visitors but would also aid rapid socio-economic growth and development.
“The Boti waterfalls used to be a highly subscribed eco-tourism site. However, the worsened condition of the road has affected patronage”, Mr Aaron Asuma, a receptionist stated.
He said the facility used to employ about 100 people, but now it has only nine workers, and called on the government to reshape the road and improve the present condition at the waterfalls to boost eco-tourism.
Mr Asuma said improving the existing facilities at the waterfalls could create thousands of job opportunities for the locals. Drivers, visitors and market women who plied Huhunya-Agogo-Akpamu-Akpo-Akow road also expressed similar sentiments calling on the government to improve the condition of the road.
“Commercial drivers kept complaining about the bad condition of the road resulting in increases in transport fares”, Mr Asuma stated.
He said improvement in the condition of the road would also attract investments, saying that investors had shown interest however the bad road conditions had deterred many of them.
“We don’t even have a hotel or a restaurant.
Mobile money and food vendors aren’t interested in setting up here because of the deplorable condition of the road”, he stated. Mr Asuama said because patronage had slowed down, it was difficult for the authorities to maintain and make the waterfalls attractive.
Security and safety protocols at the waterfalls
There aren’t signs to guide visitors to the facility.
Lack of streetlights as well as fuel pumping stations and a garage also deter tourists from patronage.
A call to action
It is therefore imperative for the nation to be conscious and deliberate towards improving the road and existing facilities to help boost eco-tourism and job creation.
As the nation marks Ghana Month, there is the need to recognize the economic potential of the Boti waterfalls for job creation and poverty.
The onus therefore lies on local authorities to frontline the development of the waterfalls, preserve natural heritage as well as culture and tradition.
GNA
Edited by Dennis Peprah/George-Ramsey Benamba