The annual paragliding festival takes off every Easter in Kwahu. After years of suspendion due to the pandemic, the festival which has become an essential in the celebration of Easter in Ghana is widely anticipated globally with tourist traveling to partake in the event at Kwahu in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
Paragliding is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders like lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure. The pilot sits in a harness or lies supine in a cocoon-like ‘speed bag’ suspended below a fabric wing.
The wing shape is maintained by the suspension lines, the pressure of air entering vents in the front of the wing, and the aerodynamic forces of the air flowing over the outside.
As the paragliders are operated without an engine, the paraglider can cover some tens of kilometres and skillful exploitation of sources of lift, the pilot may gain height, often climbing to altitudes of a few thousand metres with the help of the wind.
History of paraglide in Ghana
The history of the festival dates as far back as March 2003, when Minister of Tourism and Modernization of the capital city Accra, The Late Mr. Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey toured the Kwahu ridge as part of his acclimatization tour of the country and by chance crossed paths with the festival’s organizer, Walter Neser.
The first Ghana Paragliding Festival in 2005 was launched by H.E. Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana and followed till the struck of the pandemic.
The Paragliding event has seen different experts in term of flying the parachute or the paragliders ensuring smooth and safe flies.
Recommended reading……… Top Festivals To Witness In Ghana
Where can I paraglide in Ghana?
General mountainous areas are the recommended areas for paragliding and in the case of Ghana, the Eastern Region which has mountains areas especially the townships of Abetifi, Kwahu, Oboo and other towns are notable for the celebration of the event.
The event grounds or Kwahu is just some 30 minute drive from Acccra the capital of Ghana.
How do you go paragliding?
Paragliding just like any other games or recreational activity is easy to learn. To launch, the pilot first inflates the wing by pulling it up like a kite and then runs down the hillside until flying speed has been reached. Usually a speed of about 12 miles per hour (19 km per hour) is enough to launch the craft.
The pilot and his accomplice flying the paragliders should ensure the necessary safety equipment is worn to reduce injury.
The Kwahu paragliding festival is very fun to experience as the event is coupled lots of side attractions like play of Ghana music, cultural display with different delicacies and drinks.
Individual pilots with the skill of flying are also welcome on board to the Kwahu Easter paragliding festival to showcase their skill. Newcomers can also have a lifetime experience of paragliding at the Kwahu Mountains with just a little amount of money for the booking.
This years’ paragliding is going to super excitement and full of thrills you don’t want to miss as it is going to be the first after suspension since 2019.
Also read…… The Best Beaches To Explore This Easter
Thank you for reading this article and see you in Kwahu this Easter.