One week on the road across Ghana
THE 2023 Citi Heritage Caravan ended last week with one certainty - the annual nationwide road adventure can only grow bigger and better.
This year’s edition also demonstrated that the phenomenon of repeat Caravanites has surely come to stay even as first timers declared that they will be back.
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This year, the tour started from the Greater Accra, through to Eastern Region, Volta Region, Ashanti Region, Bono East Region, Savannah Region, Northern Region to the Upper East Region. Other regions cleared over the eight-day period were Bono Region, Ahafo Region, Western North, Western Region, and Central Region.
There was also a good number of foreigners and foreign-based Ghanaians. Even for non-first timers, there was no space for boredom as exciting innovations and new destinations and hotels spiced up the experience.
To start with, the first night spent at Senchi Royal was splendid, especially coming after the wonderful hikes at Amedzofe. The hilly town provided patrons with the wonders of a historic setting with Mount Gemi beckoning majestically in the distance.
From what visitors went through, the newly installed canopy walkway is surely a thrilling addition to the nation’s adventure offerings.
As happens on such trips, different strokes for different folks. While animal lovers enjoyed the elephant chase at Mole National Park as well as the back-patting encounter with the Paga crocodiles, others were thrilled by the unique experience of stepping on the soil of a foreign country if even for a brief moment. The border crossing from Paga into the Burkina Faso village of Dakola, for some, was the highlight.
Then there were those who took extreme delight at the night cultural and intellectual experiences at Red Clay in Tamale. The sheer brilliance of artist Ibrahim Mahama and his daring dream to bring the world to his northern community was mind-blowing. The cultural drumming and dancing on the night was enthralling. Same as it was for adowa dance lovers down at Bonwire in Ashanti where a Kente museum was out-doored by the European Union.
Indeed, also for the records, was the traditional music and dance offering at the Paga Pio’s palace as well as at Bolgatanga. I must add here that stopping for the night in the Upper East regional capital was a first as was stopping to pay an exciting courtesy call on Paga Pio.
This year’s Heritage Caravan also had the most night events in terms of night club, formal dinner and night outs. The fun was not only on the attraction sites but also on the three buses where members love to banter endlessly about theirs being the best place to be. This fun on the road came with learning and discussions about the various places the caravan went through.
Also up for discussion was the unsatisfactory state of service across the hospitality sector, lack of proper washrooms and the plastic litter across communities in Ghana. But this is Ghana and there is still hope. Be it in the east, west, south or north, patrons came across different Ghanaians going about their livelihoods with hope on their faces.
And when the three journey-wearied buses finally arrived at Citi TV’s premises at 5 Owula Hansen Lane, the electrifying Brass Band music and the happy chants of “we made it” indicated that there is hope. Once again, the Citi Heritage Caravan has demonstrated that it is possible to travel across our beautiful country for leisure. And this comes with great possibilities for several stakeholders.
Since its inception in 2016, the Caravan has been to all regions of the country, visiting tour sites such as the Mole National Park, the Military Museum and Agotime Kpetoe Kente Centre, Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary, Elmina Castle, the Larabanga Mosque and the village on stilts; Nzulezu.
As with all Heritage Caravan experiences, the 2023 edition delivered on an adventure of a life-time filled with rich cultural experience, introspective historical visitations, and exhilarating field days with nature. The Heritage Caravan is an initiative of Citi TV and Citi FM in partnership with the Ghana Tourism Authority and takes place in the month of March.
This year’s road trip was proudly sponsored by Hollard Ghana, the European Union, Malta Guinness, and Ebony Condoms. GOIL Company Ltd., National Lotteries Authority, Voltic Mineral Water, and Colgate Natural Extracts Toothpaste.
No doubt it was a memorable trip but still, some episodes become golden and thus stand out. In Sunyani, the Royal Eusbett Hospitality that caravan patrons have been pampered with has now become a delightful brand event that deserves a national award. Mr Robert Mensah and team, you do all, chabam!
For the second time in a row, the travel party stopped at the hilltop home of Sekondi-based businessman, Mr William Inkomsah. The gorgeous sea view, the warm reception from the family, the brass band, the open bar, the yummy offerings…
To put it mildly, it was a sumptuous feast on a silver platter!