Mount Afadjato - The highest peak in Ghana, Gbledi area, Volta Region of Ghana
Mount Afadjato - The highest peak in Ghana, Gbledi area, Volta Region of Ghana
The distance between Hohoe and Gbledi is about 24 km, and there are two possible ways to reach the village. One is via Wli or Fodome Ahor, the other is from Golokwati on the main Accra-Hohoe road via Liati Agbonyra and Liati Soba. |
History
In 1997, the communities of Gbledi Traditional Area and Fodome Ahor sought technical assistance from the Ghana Wildlife Society, a Ghanaian NGO, in the implementation of an initiative to conserve the forests around Mount Afadjato. The forests were suffering from degradation caused by farming on the slopes, tree cutting and annual bush burning.
With the Netherlands Government providing financial support, the initiative took off in 1998, offering a unique opportunity for the local communities to assume full responsibility for managing their traditional lands and natural resources.
This was the foundation of the first Ghanaian community-owned nature reserve which is solely managed by local people, in line with the 1994 Forest and Wildlife Policy which advocates for community participation in natural resource management. Another aim of the initiative is to improve the living standards of the local people through the promotion of ecotourism and the establishment of micro-enterprises. The tourism enterprise is expected to provide employment opportunities for the people and adequate revenue for community development.
In recognition of these efforts, the project site was selected to host the 1999 National Bushfire Prevention Campaign. Only few months after the Campaign the villagers had the doubtful opportunity to prove their commitment to bushfire prevention, when a fire broke out on Mount Afadjato, threatening to destroy the entire forest. In response, the whole community including women and children worked day and night for several days, carrying water up the mountain and clearing the belts. Finally, they brought the fire under control and conserved much of the forest.
In 1997, the communities of Gbledi Traditional Area and Fodome Ahor sought technical assistance from the Ghana Wildlife Society, a Ghanaian NGO, in the implementation of an initiative to conserve the forests around Mount Afadjato. The forests were suffering from degradation caused by farming on the slopes, tree cutting and annual bush burning.
With the Netherlands Government providing financial support, the initiative took off in 1998, offering a unique opportunity for the local communities to assume full responsibility for managing their traditional lands and natural resources.
This was the foundation of the first Ghanaian community-owned nature reserve which is solely managed by local people, in line with the 1994 Forest and Wildlife Policy which advocates for community participation in natural resource management. Another aim of the initiative is to improve the living standards of the local people through the promotion of ecotourism and the establishment of micro-enterprises. The tourism enterprise is expected to provide employment opportunities for the people and adequate revenue for community development.
In recognition of these efforts, the project site was selected to host the 1999 National Bushfire Prevention Campaign. Only few months after the Campaign the villagers had the doubtful opportunity to prove their commitment to bushfire prevention, when a fire broke out on Mount Afadjato, threatening to destroy the entire forest. In response, the whole community including women and children worked day and night for several days, carrying water up the mountain and clearing the belts. Finally, they brought the fire under control and conserved much of the forest.
The People
For every year, the community sets up a workplan, indicating the main activities for community nature reserve management and for tourism development. The 2005 workplan includes the following activities: fire prevention exercises, boundary management patrols, biodiversity monitoring, the establishment of agroforestry in a buffer zone, the maintenance of simply tourist facilities (railings, seats, signage etc), the labelling of trees along the major trail, the promotion of the site, and a study tour to neighbouring sites. These activities are co-financed by the Ghana Wildlife Society, the BZMP and community funds generated through tourism. |
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The Site
With 885m, Mount Afadjato is the highest peak in Ghana. It forms part of the Agumatsa range which runs along the Ghana-Togo border. From the top of the mountain, there are magnificent panoramic views of surrounding communities, forests, mountains, deep valleys, and, in distance, Lake Volta. Behind Mount Afadjato is Aduadu, the highest point in Ghana. Even though its summit is higher than that of Mount Afadjato, it is considered to be smaller because it is placed on top of another mountain.
The name Afadjato comes from Avadzeto which means “to go to war against the bush”. The mountain owes this name to the fact that it is covered by a certain plant which causes severe skin irritations. Hence, whenever farmers or hunters climbed the mountain, they were “at war” with the plants.
The Ewes, however, did not have a written language for most of their history, so that the European colonisers called the mountain in the way they heard its name pronounced, namely Afadjato. The syllable “to” in Ewe language means “mountain”, so that the correct name is not Mount Afadjato, but simply Afadjato.
Mount Afadjato is shaped like a traditional yarn mound and covered with luxuriant tropical forest. Its area is well-known for its biodiversity richness. Researchers have recorded over 300 species of butterflies and 33 species of mammals. Mona and Spot-nosed monkeys are regular sights. Furthermore, BirdLife International has selected the site as one of the key Important Bird Areas in Ghana.
Apart from the mountain range, there are some other places of interest. Located on the Gbledi-Chebi side of the Agumatsu Range is the chalk cave Hekpome, the ancestral house of the people of Gbledi. A trail along the Ahase River leads to the small but charming Ahase Falls. The walk takes about 45 minutes from the Visitor Centre in Gbledi.
Furthermore, the villagers offer their guests to participate in cultural activities. Visitors can enjoy the traditional music and dance, the Borborbor. They also have the opportunity to learn about the folklore of the people as well as their customary practices such as marriages, naming ceremonies, funerals, taboos, and traditional herbal medicine. Furthermore, villagers offer local food and drinks, as well as the opportunity to stay over night in a local family.
Regular Tourist Activities
Suggested tours include the following:
Half-day tour of Mount Afadjato , Half-day tour of the chalk cave Full-day tour of Aduadu (including Mount Afadjato)
Three-day trek: Mount Afadjato and overnight camp on summit of Aduadu; trek through mountains close to Ghana-Togo border to Wli Todzi; descent to Kyebi through tropical forest and proceed to Wli Falls
Information for the visitor
Visitors are required to register at the Conservation Office of the Ghana Wildlife Society at Gbledi.
Entrance Fees
Ghanaians:
Adults..................................................................5 cedis
Tertiary................................................................3 cedis
Pre-Tertiary...........................................................1 cedis
Organised Groups (20 and above) a)Adults...............................................................4 cedis/head
b)Tertiary.............................................................3 cedis/head
c)Pre-Tertiary........................................................0,50 cedis/head
Non-Ghanaians:...................................................$7 per head
Organised Groups..................................................$6 per head.
For safety and comfort reasons and to prevent abuse of the Reserve, visitors should adhere to a number of guidelines. They should always be accompanied by a tour guide and keep to the designated trail areas. Camping is only allowed in designated areas. Groups should be kept small with a maximum of ten visitors.
They should prevent any disturbance to wildlife, avoid any noise and refrain from smoking. Nothing should be left behind – there are several dustbins along the trail. Visitors are not allowed to collect plants, animals, fossils, artefacts, stones, or eggs. In general terms, everybody should remember the phrase “Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints”.
Budget accommodation is available at Fodome Ahor, another village in the project area. Camping on Mount Afadjato, of course, is an attraction in itself, and can be very convenient since the village offers local dishes, fruits and drinks. Another alternative is to stay with one of six local families that can provide a total of ten beds.
All tours involve steep ascents and descents so that appropriate footwear is recommended. An adequate supply of water is also necessary.
With 885m, Mount Afadjato is the highest peak in Ghana. It forms part of the Agumatsa range which runs along the Ghana-Togo border. From the top of the mountain, there are magnificent panoramic views of surrounding communities, forests, mountains, deep valleys, and, in distance, Lake Volta. Behind Mount Afadjato is Aduadu, the highest point in Ghana. Even though its summit is higher than that of Mount Afadjato, it is considered to be smaller because it is placed on top of another mountain.
The name Afadjato comes from Avadzeto which means “to go to war against the bush”. The mountain owes this name to the fact that it is covered by a certain plant which causes severe skin irritations. Hence, whenever farmers or hunters climbed the mountain, they were “at war” with the plants.
The Ewes, however, did not have a written language for most of their history, so that the European colonisers called the mountain in the way they heard its name pronounced, namely Afadjato. The syllable “to” in Ewe language means “mountain”, so that the correct name is not Mount Afadjato, but simply Afadjato.
Mount Afadjato is shaped like a traditional yarn mound and covered with luxuriant tropical forest. Its area is well-known for its biodiversity richness. Researchers have recorded over 300 species of butterflies and 33 species of mammals. Mona and Spot-nosed monkeys are regular sights. Furthermore, BirdLife International has selected the site as one of the key Important Bird Areas in Ghana.
Apart from the mountain range, there are some other places of interest. Located on the Gbledi-Chebi side of the Agumatsu Range is the chalk cave Hekpome, the ancestral house of the people of Gbledi. A trail along the Ahase River leads to the small but charming Ahase Falls. The walk takes about 45 minutes from the Visitor Centre in Gbledi.
Furthermore, the villagers offer their guests to participate in cultural activities. Visitors can enjoy the traditional music and dance, the Borborbor. They also have the opportunity to learn about the folklore of the people as well as their customary practices such as marriages, naming ceremonies, funerals, taboos, and traditional herbal medicine. Furthermore, villagers offer local food and drinks, as well as the opportunity to stay over night in a local family.
Regular Tourist Activities
Suggested tours include the following:
Half-day tour of Mount Afadjato , Half-day tour of the chalk cave Full-day tour of Aduadu (including Mount Afadjato)
Three-day trek: Mount Afadjato and overnight camp on summit of Aduadu; trek through mountains close to Ghana-Togo border to Wli Todzi; descent to Kyebi through tropical forest and proceed to Wli Falls
Information for the visitor
Visitors are required to register at the Conservation Office of the Ghana Wildlife Society at Gbledi.
Entrance Fees
Ghanaians:
Adults..................................................................5 cedis
Tertiary................................................................3 cedis
Pre-Tertiary...........................................................1 cedis
Organised Groups (20 and above) a)Adults...............................................................4 cedis/head
b)Tertiary.............................................................3 cedis/head
c)Pre-Tertiary........................................................0,50 cedis/head
Non-Ghanaians:...................................................$7 per head
Organised Groups..................................................$6 per head.
For safety and comfort reasons and to prevent abuse of the Reserve, visitors should adhere to a number of guidelines. They should always be accompanied by a tour guide and keep to the designated trail areas. Camping is only allowed in designated areas. Groups should be kept small with a maximum of ten visitors.
They should prevent any disturbance to wildlife, avoid any noise and refrain from smoking. Nothing should be left behind – there are several dustbins along the trail. Visitors are not allowed to collect plants, animals, fossils, artefacts, stones, or eggs. In general terms, everybody should remember the phrase “Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints”.
Budget accommodation is available at Fodome Ahor, another village in the project area. Camping on Mount Afadjato, of course, is an attraction in itself, and can be very convenient since the village offers local dishes, fruits and drinks. Another alternative is to stay with one of six local families that can provide a total of ten beds.
All tours involve steep ascents and descents so that appropriate footwear is recommended. An adequate supply of water is also necessary.
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