Amedzofe, the highest human settlement in Ghana has more to offer — Tour Guide Chairman

Amedzofe, known as the highest human settlement in Ghana, has a lot of promise when it comes to tourism.

Standing over 2,400 feet above sea level, the area offers stunning views from Mount Gemi. During a recent visit with the Volta Fair and Visit Volta Initiative, Joel Degue, chairman of the Tour Guide Association for the Volta and Oti regions noted that beyond the beauty of the mountains, Amedzofe has more to offer.

He suggested that the area could be used for building holiday homes. “Land here is affordable. People can build holiday houses, visit often, and even invite friends. This will help bring money into the community,” he explained. He added that the development could create jobs and support the local economy.

He also mentioned the need for proper planning. “We shouldn’t guess. We must study the area well, understand what is needed, and plan how and when to get returns from any investment,” he said. Degue stressed that even though the place has great potential, it must be carefully managed to benefit everyone.

Another important point he raised was Amedzofe’s cool climate, which feels like European weather in winter. That makes it a great spot for European tourists who want to stay longer.

“Longer stays mean more spending, and more spending brings more income to the area,” he said. He encouraged the local leaders to improve facilities and promote Amedzofe to attract more tourists, especially from outside Ghana.

Robert Elikem Ameh, the Assembly Member for the Amedzofe Electoral Area, who also spoke with the media during the tour called on both local and national stakeholders to invest in the area’s rich historical and natural assets. He explained that, Mountain Gemi—the second-highest in Ghana—located in Amedzofe as the site of the 1868 battle between the Ashantis and the Awes and noted the historical cross erected in 1939 by German missionaries to mark 50 years of Christian evangelism in the area.

He emphasized Amedzofe’s unique identity as a Gwan-speaking community, distinct from the surrounding Ewe groups, with a rich language and culture. The area, he said, offers more than just Mountain Gemi, boasting tourist attractions such as a canopy walkway, waterfalls, ancestral caves, and scenic nature trails.

Despite attracting over 25,000 tourists in the last year, Mr. Ameh lamented the lack of facilities to encourage overnight stays, which limits local economic benefits. He urged the promotion of local artifacts, creation of rest facilities, and stronger support for local investors to ensure tourists can spend and support the community.

He also appealed to the government to fix the deteriorating Vane-Amedzofe road, which he said is narrow and full of potholes, deterring visitors. He reminded President Mahama of an unfulfilled 2019 promise by the former government to complete the town roads and stressed that improved infrastructure is essential to boost tourism, support education institutions, and uplift the busy community.