As the annual Kwahu Easter festival reaches full swing, the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) is setting its sights on increasing paragliding flights from 138 in 2024 to 200 in 2025 on the iconic Odweanoma Mountain.
A standout feature of this year’s festival is the growing number of women embracing the exhilarating challenge of paragliding. Many have conquered their fears to soar above the picturesque Kwahu landscape, turning the experience into a celebration of courage and freedom.
Visitors have begun arriving at Odweanoma Mountain, eager to take part in the thrilling tandem paragliding rides. Marking the 20th edition of the event, more women are taking to the skies than ever before. One participant, Abigail Ashley, who was the first woman to fly on the opening day, shared, “I came, saw, and conquered. I encourage other women to try this. It’s truly breathtaking.” Another echoed her sentiments, saying, “This will be a memory for a lifetime. I’m glad to be here.”
The projected increase in flights is expected to boost revenue in Ghana’s tourism sector, which currently ranks as the fourth-largest contributor to the country’s GDP.
GTA CEO, Maame Efua Houadjeto, revealed that over 7,000 revelers attended last year’s festival—a 49% increase from the previous year—and expressed optimism about continued growth in attendance and participation.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Yussif Issaka Jajah, called on the Kwahu South Municipal Assembly to intensify tourism promotion in the area. “As we work towards ‘Resetting Ghana’ and strengthening the ‘Black Star Experience,’ it’s vital that the Assembly prioritizes tourism in its development efforts. By fostering public-private partnerships and involving key stakeholders, tourism can play a major role in reducing poverty, especially among youth and women,” he stated.
Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Adjei Awatey, also highlighted tourism’s economic impact. “Events like the paragliding festival reveal tourism’s power to drive economic growth, create jobs, and preserve our cultural heritage. This year’s event is especially important as we rebound from past challenges. It supports local businesses and strengthens our hospitality sector,” she said.
However, a rainstorm in the early afternoon around 2:30 PM disrupted the paragliding activity on the first day. Despite the interruption, a total of 28 tourists were able to fly.