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Kwahu goes frenzy …as revelers celebrate Easter at Paragliding Festival

A cross-section of chiefs seated during the opening of the Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival
The Kwahu Township was thrown into a carnival mood when hundreds of tourists stormed the area to celebrate the 2024 Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival that ended on Monday, April 1.
The four-day celebration which kicked off on Friday (Good Friday) attracted visitors from all corners of the country and beyond the country’s borders.
It was used to commemorate the Easter celebration of Christians.
The climax of the celebration was the paragliding session that saw a huge number of revelers queue for that lifetime experience flying across the mountainous Kwahu area.
With seasoned pilots including Jonathan Quaye from Ghana, Chuck Smith, Blake Pelton and Ed Stein from the USA, Okada Naohisa from Japan, Eduardo Reategui from Peru, and Hagan Muhlich from Germany in attendance, tourists were assured of a beautiful experience of having an aerial view of the Kwahu area topography.
A flight from the Odweanoma Mountain near Atibie in the Kwahu South Municipality of the Eastern region cost interested tourists GH¢1,000.
With a large crowd to applaud every move and skill displayed by the pilots, the tourists were flown beautifully across Mpraeso, Atibie, Obomeng and Abetifi mountains before landing safely at the Nkawkaw Sports Stadium.
One passenger and tourist, Abraham Smith told The Spectator he was glad to be part of the festival and revealed that he had a lot to tell family and friends about his exciting experience.
In his view, the festival was exciting and a lot of people must be told about it to also enjoy that experience of a lifetime.
Aside the paragliding and other fun activities, there was a boom in economic activities at the site as food, water and other vendors cashed in on the occasion.
One boiled egg seller, Akosua Antwi shared with The Spectator how her wares got sold up and had to rush home to get more to sell.
“I sold a crate of boiled eggs in no time and had to go home to prepare more for sale. This activity boosts sales and economic activities in the area. I wish the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) would sustain it and add other activities to explore the tourism potential in the area,” she added.
Opening the festival, the Minister-designate for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Andrew Egyapa Mercer recognised its significance and impact on the local economy of Kwahu and highlighted its contribution to revenue generation through employment creation for the Kwahu people.
He said the festival has also allowed for cultural heritage preservation and environmental assets, and has enhanced the appeal of Kwahu as a tourist destination, leading to an increase in the number of visitors and generate revenue for the local tourism industry.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GTA, Mr Akwasi Agyeman said the event has become the fulcrum for adventure and sightseeing activities that has attracted hundreds of tourists from all over the world to witness the paragliding festival since 2005.
“For instance, in 2016, we attracted 60 tourists and raised the peak to 248 in 2019 and since then, every year, the number keeps growing, thanks to the resilience of our pilots who have come in from all over the world and we acknowledge the work done by the community and assemblies as well.
He commended the Ministry of Roads and Highways for commencing the construction of the road leading to the paragliding sites and urged the contractor to expedite action and finish before the 2025 edition.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Seth Acheampong said the festival had become a hallmark of the region and has not only brought joy and excitement to all but also played a crucial role in boosting the tourism industry and contributed to the economic growth of the locals in the country.
Nana Kwadjo Boama, representative of the Chief of Kwahu Atibiehene, said the chiefs were excited about the event and its associated benefits and called on the authorities to develop the other tourist sites in the Kwahu enclave.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Kwahu Atibie
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Prof. Dodoo named ARSO President Emeritus

The African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) has unanimously conferred Professor Alex Dodoo with the honorary title of President Emeritus following resolutions by both its executive council and general assembly.
The decision, which was taken during the 31st General Assembly of ARSO in Zanzibar, Tanzania, last Friday, recognised Prof. Dodoo’s exceptional leadership in advancing continental standards for trade, safety and sustainable development.
The resolution ensured his continued advisory role in the strategic direction of ARSO while mentoring future standardisation leaders across Africa.
The Secretary-General of ARSO, Dr Hemogene Nsengimana, said the title of President Emeritus was reserved for leaders whose impact transcended their tenure, reflecting lifelong dedication to their field.
Excellence
As immediate past ARSO President and Director-General of the Ghana Standards Authority, Prof. Dodoo spearheaded the creation of critical structures within ARSO and influenced harmonisation initiatives supporting the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Professor Dodoo, an expert in pharmaceuticals, public health, and standards regulation, has played a pivotal role in shaping the standardisation landscape of Africa.
Under his leadership, ARSO saw effective collaboration among member states culminating in the general assembly this year, and bringing together a record 34 countries, the highest in the history of the organisation.
The advocacy of Professor Dodoo for “One Standard, One Test, One Acceptance” across Africa has been instrumental in reducing technical barriers to trade and fostering economic integration.
In his new role, Professor Dodoo would continue to provide strategic guidance to ARSO, mentor emerging leaders in standardisation, and champion the voice of Africa in global standards bodies such as the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Professor Dodoo, in his acceptance remark, said, “This honour is not just a personal milestone but shows the collective efforts of all stakeholders working toward a standardised, competitive, and quality-driven Africa.”
He said, “Our journey is far from over, and I remain committed to the vision of an Africa where standards fuel prosperity.”
As President Emeritus, Professor Dodoo is expected to focus on critical areas such as strengthening Africa’s quality infrastructure, advocating for standards in emerging sectors such as renewable energy and digital economies and bridging the gap between academia, industry, and policymakers in standardisation.
Competence
The Executive Director of the Standards Division at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), Dr Sadhvir Bissoon, said Prof. Dodoo had contributed towards the leadership of the ARSO Council in driving strategy, governance, “reviewing our laws and statutes and ensuring their implementation”.
“I hope he will still serve the needs and aspirations of ARSO in his new role,” he said in an interview with the Daily Graphic.
Private sector leaders who attended the event also lauded Professor Dodoo’s efforts to align African standards with global best practices.
The Regional Director of COTECNA, a key partner in the continental standards community, Antoine Anne, for his part, said the appointment of Professor Dodoo reaffirmed the commitment of the African continent to excellence.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
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EC to conduct elections in selected polling stations at Ablekuma North

As part of its commitment to resolve the impass egarding he Ablekuma North Constituency Parliamentary Election, the Electoral Commission(EC) yesterday, Tuesday, July 1, 2025, met with the representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The meeting, which was a follow-up to an earlier meeting held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, provided both parties the opportunity to brief the commission on any new
developments regarding the said constituency.
The parties informed the Commission that their positions put forward at the last mecting remained unchanged.
The NDC held the view that the election should be rerun thirty -seven
(37) Polling Stations because scanned Pink Sheets from 37 Polling Stations which were used to
collate the results, were provided the NPP.
The NPP was of the view that the results from three (3) outstanding Poling Stations be collated and a winner declared since the NDC Agents had verified and confirmed
the scanned Poling Station results they presented.
According to the EC, it is important for the public to understand that the issue in contention has to do with
the fact that 37 Pink Sheets provided by the NPP and used to colate the results were scanned copies.
“The Public may recall that Political Party supporters besieged our Collation Centre and
destroyed a number of the Pink Sheets for the Ablekuma North Parliamentary Elcction during the collation of results following the December 7 Gencral Election,” the EC added.
After extensive deliberations, the Commission informed the Political Parties that it would
proceed to rerun the election in 19
of the 37 Polling Stations.
The Commission arrived at the decision to rerun the election in the underlisted Polling Stations because, the scanned Polling Station resuits used for the collation, though approved by Agents of both political Parties, were not verified by the Presiding Officers responsible for the Polling
Stations.
According to the EC, it is instructive to note that the Commission was able to secure the Presiding Officers
verification and confirmation for 18 scanned Polling Station results-
Agents of both parties also approved same.
The election will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025
The Commission has further urged the Ghana Police Service to provide the needed security to ensure a safe environment for the conduct of the election.

