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All set for Okwahu paragliding festival at Kwahu–Atibie

The 2018 Paragliding Festival is scheduled for Friday, 30th March to Monday April 2, on Mount Odweanoma at Atibie – Kwahu in the Eastern Region.

Date Created : 3/28/2018 9:36:59 AM : Story Author : GNA

A statement from the Ghana Tourism Authority said the Festival, which is the 13th in the series, is being organised under the sponsorship of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

It is on the theme: “You too can fly”, with inspiration drawn from two physically challenged persons, a blind man from Ghana and a deaf and dumb lady from Germany, who flew to the amazement of all at the 2017 edition of the festival.

In a release issued to the Ghana News Agency, the GTA said the festival, which is one of the flagship events on the tourism calendar is organised to coincide with the Easter festivities, and draws domestic and international tourist to the Kwahu area.

It said the take-off area at the Odweanoma Mountain in Kwahu–Atibie had been expanded to accommodate four flights at a go instead of one flight previously done, and pavilions have been provided for the comfort of patrons.

The refurbished area will be opened on Thursday, 29th March, 2018.

It said the festival plays a vital role in boosting domestic tourism thereby creating opportunities for job creation such as the selling of artefacts by the local residents. Moreover, facilities like home lodges, drinking bars, traditional catering units and transportation service among others, will also generate revenue to boost the local economy.

The release said paragliding tandem pilots from the USA, Germany, Japan, Peru and Romania will fly passengers during the festival.

The rate for a flight is GH¢ 250.

Other activities lined up for the event include health walk, fun games, and, indoor games. There will also be live music to entertain patrons and sale of food, and souvenir, and tour packages.

Major stakeholders such as the Meteorological Services Department, the Red Cross Society, the Ghana Ambulance Services, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, the Ghana Immigration Service, the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces are each playing a specific role to ensure a successful festival.