The 2019 edition of the Citi Heritage Caravan has proved that the annual nationwide road adventure can only grow bigger and better. The fourth on a trot, this year’s has also demonstrated that repeat caravaneers (my word) could not get bored as the event has kept adding on exciting innovations.
Talking about repeat travellers, there were a lot more of them!
To start with, this year saw for the first time, a three STC bus convoy. Another first was that the Ghana Tourism Authority came on board as a sponsor. Thus unlike in previous expeditions, regional staff of GTA were on hand to prepare the grounds visited.
Another novelty was that as Ghana’s regional distribution had been re-calibrated the travel party got the chance to see most of these ‘new’ regions for the first time. Out of the current 16 regions, the Caravan trekked through 14.
For the first time, The CBS Anchor, Bernard Avle left his breakfast show duties in Accra to join the caravan. Together with the Citi team, they actually handled a session on how the Accra media house is delivering on its mandate.
The fact that Citi itself has added TV to its media platforms also ensured a more vibrant showcase of the road show. The viewing public had the 2019 edition really covered.
The send-off party at the palatial offices of the AMA was another innovation, which allowed key partners to share the Heritage Caravan platform as well as solidarity messages.
Over the period of 8 days, (another first as previous ones had ran for 7 days each) an enthusiastic, outgoing group of world citizens made the road their home. Overnight, participants had converted to family groups experiencing adventure after adventure across communities in Ghana.
If the travel party was a family then the bus was the living room, sometimes the dining room or even the bedroom.
National issues were discussed at various levels. If I didn’t mention the interesting rivalry among the buses it was because by default I was rotating from one to the other. Of course, fun was the name of the game. While tour guides were offering tourist information, resident guitarists and other passengers took to the mobile stage to entertain.
In the major towns, outriders facilitated movement while the indigenous dances that ushered the caravan to their hotels was thrilling. There‘s something intriguing about border towns and for many on board the caravan, stepping on the soils of both Togo and Burkina Faso was a high point.
I cannot say which impressed me more. Was it the ordinary low-earning young Ghanaians who had saved all year long to participate or the Ghanaians living abroad who had moved against all odds to make it? The senior citizens (one celebrated his 75th birthday on day 1 of the trip) also impressed me.
The likes of Uncle Ray caught dancing without a care on the beachy sands at Coconut Grove reinforced the message that fun is not only for the musical youth.
Then there the couples who made it together. Some very advanced in marriage others still in their honeymoon months. So admirable! Oh, and there were those who came, started the journey as singles but ended up as couples. We wish them well. (What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas).
The spontaneous full-blown party at Cape Coast Goil filling station was surreal.
All those bystanders who were drawn by the wild dancing and jubilation and drinking and khebab chewing would never believe that we only stopped to use the washrooms for a few minutes.
After a long drive from Sunyani that arrival night at Mahaa Beach Resort in the Western Region would remain magical. Agotime Kpetoe, they really treated us like princes and princesses. Many tales have since been woven around that heavenly soup called ‘’Totokpakpa.’’
Volta Serene Hotel. The nation salutes you. A real hidden gem. I don’t know how Eusbett Hotel, Sunyani does it year after year. They never disappoint. Dinner at Modern City Hotel is like that open license treat in the kitchen of your favourite aunt. Homey and Yummy!
Plus in Tamale, it was really special to be sharing the same hotel with His Excellency the President on the eve of Ghana’s Independence Anniversary.
My personal special moment. Wednesday morning: Here I am sitting on a stone, eating rice and fish with my bare fingers while a warthog and two baboons are watching over my shoulders for me to drop my meal, Mole Park. How can I forget?
Down side. Number 1: Washrooms on our highway? Big headache.
Number 2: Someone must tell some of our communities that clearing your environment of plastic and everyday filth does not require another government initiative. Let the people just bend down and pick!
Once again, the CITI Heritage Caravan have demonstrated that it is possible to travel across our beautiful country for leisure. And this comes with great possibilities for several stakeholders.
As for Yours Truly, it was such an honour to serve as a guide for the tour across Ghana.
Author: Kofi Akpabli
