The 2018 Kwahu Paragliding festival held under the theme You Too Can Fly recorded 288 flights, the highest number in the festival’s 13 year history.
The passengers came from 29 countries stretching from New Zealand to Guatemala and from South Africa to Sweden. Also, 103 Ghanaians took part in the festival indicating an increasing interest in the sport by both Ghanaians and international tourists.
Ten (10) tandem pilots from the USA, Peru, Romania, Germany and Japan flew many delighted passengers over the four day period (March 30-April 2, 2018) Two Ghanaian solo pilots also participated in the event. With an expanded take off point, new pavilions and modern washroom facilities, visitors to this year’s event enjoyed worthy and enhanced experiences and many patrons commended the Ghana Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture for the expansion project and commitment to the development of paragliding as a tourist activity in the country.
In her address at the opening ceremony, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Catherine Ablema Afeku outlined steps the Ministry has taken to acquire a training site at Shai Osudoku to fast track the local training of paragliders which is already underway. So far 11 Ghanaians have undergone such a training.
Officials of the GTA, have confirmed that another Paragliding festival is slated for 27-30 September 2018 to coincide with the 2018 World Tourism Day celebrations.