In Ghana, we do not seem to have grasped the realization that cleanliness is a key conduit to visitor attraction. Education on sanitation in our schools and public advocacy on environmental cleanliness is almost non-existent.
Earlier in the year, a company hired my services to take tourists from Tema harbour to Accra using the beach road. Passing through Teshie – Nungua, one of the visitors was bold to ask, “Sam, why are you driving us through garbage….?”
Another unpleasant experience; our deplorable roads. One of the painful stretches to travel on is where this Meridian signpost is planted. Somanya through Okoenya to the Accra- Akosombo highway. Dodge one pothole and you land in three.
One would have thought that, having such an important landmark on that stretch, an authority (district assembly??) would have had the presence of mind to keep the road in a better shape, at least to glorify this important landmark and assist the Tour Guide make a better narration. On the 13th of August, I traveled with a couple to Kumasi.
On reaching the Asante capital, the lady asked; “are we coming back the same way?”, the answer was yes. The next day, the couple had a change of mind. We flew back to Accra. And their visit was cut short. (result of bad road, reckless driving/overtaking of commercial vehicles and inappropriate washrooms on the highway). These were people who had come in a private jet and wanted to explore Ghana. Before they left, I granted them “the moment of truth”.
The lady did not hesitate to describe her feelings in two words. “Filth and Poverty”. (don’t crucify her please. She’s entitled to her opinion) The man agreed that, touring Accra was good and was impressed with the professional narration of our rich history etc.
I once reminded someone in authority the urgent need to restore roads to tourist sites and the nationwide pragmatic advocacy that is needed on sanitation sensitization. Her comment was that bad roads could be an adventure to some tourists. I disagreed with her. Adventure Tourism has nothing to do with bad roads.
Long story short, we risk losing repeat visits if we do not gird up our loins and address the issues of sanitation, accessible roads to tourist sites and a whole lot that we take for granted.
