On The Heights Of Adaklu

Until recently I have never experienced climbing a mountain; not only because I didn’t grow up in a mountainous area but mainly because I was just not interested. Having never gone I didn’t see the value and always decline.

My grandmother once told me, “life is like climbing a mountain, allow the pains to motivate you and focus on getting to the summit”.  What baffled me then was why an old lady who spent better part of her years in the plains of Southern Volta would compare life to heights she was not conversant with. 

But my first expedition which later grew my love for mountains was at the heights of Adaklu.

Located at the foot of Ho; the Volta Regional Capital, Adaklu Mountain is a spectacular landscape that draws the attention of many including persons who fear heights. A distant view of this mountain may speak of adventure, but this mountain only hint at the hardship and joy that await the climber.

My first experience was last week when my “hello-hello” insisted I send her to the mountains. Although it was against my wish, I had to protect that “man” in me and also make her happy. I guess that's just part of loving people: You have to give things up.

On that fateful day we set off from Ho in the morning to the “famous” mountain which is less than 20minutes drive.

We arrived at the Adaklu-Helekpe Tourist Welcome Centre where we paid a token to Dela, one of the officials who later assigned us a tour guide by name Christian. We walked several kilometers from Helekpe and gradually hiked to Kordiabe one of the villages located about a quarter way up the mountain.

We had a warm reception from the children in Kordiabe who thought we were whites (probably because of our skin colour) and decided to speak their Locally Acquired Foreign Accent (LAFA).

With a height of about 600m above sea level, our tour guide assured us, it would take just about two hours to reach its peak. With high expectations and enthusiasm we started the hike.

Climbing this mountain was very challenging but we urged each other on. Unlike others, it is more painful hiking the trails to the summit. When you are half-way through the journey, you would encounter bigger and steeper rocks. Ropes are fixed on these rocks to help you scale up. There are moments we felt like giving up but the ultimate price (the summit) motivated us. 

While enduring the hardships, Christian narrated stories behind the mountain and why their forefathers settled around the mountain.

The mountain which he said is surrounded by nine villages, including Helekpe, Avanyaviwofe, Goefe, Sikama, Abuadi, and Kordiabe was seen as a god which provided sanctuary to the people of Adaklu in times of war.

We reached out for fruits in the forest and fetched cool waters from the caves (which served as hideouts for ancestors during wars) to quench our taste as we continued onward and upward through the forest. We climbed; crawled and sometimes slipped aiming at the ultimate.

Finally we made it to the peak after 4hours contrary to the assurance from Christian (may be because it is our first time). One thing that fascinated me was the different species of colorful birds and butterflies in the forest. These friendly birds sang songs tuneful enough to sooth our pains.

The summit also provided a different dimension to our excitement. The walk through the beautiful forest trails and the drizzles from the clouds smeared with the serene atmosphere offered a romantic moment we never wanted to wake up from. Whiles up there we saw the stunning view of Adaklu and Ho Townships as well the Kalakpa Game reserve which makes the area an adventurous and active ecotourism site. 

The beautiful scenery could be compared to that of the Table Mountain of South Africa. The flat top nature of the mountain makes it ideal for paragliding activities.

There is an adage in Ewe that “You don’t verify from your mother the authenticity of what your grandmother told you. 

 On the heights of Adaklu   I did not only verify the authenticity of my grandmother, Ehivi Abayavor’s advice but many other lessons in life.

On the heights of Adaklu, I learnt that life is like a mountain of accomplishments, obstacles and difficulties and if you're going to climb it, it has to be worth dying for; to brave the wind, cold and thirst. But once you get to the summit, you feel so close to your goals.

On the heights of Adaklu, I leant that it better to die chasing your goals than to die waiting for opportunities. It's better to die on the mountain than to live in the valley! You hardly would hear on our airwaves, the death of a man who died after slipping on a floor.   But the death of a man who died on the mountain, is heard even in a faraway countries; he made the news because at least he dared to try!

On these heights of Adaklu, I discovered hunger in paradise. Although living with a goldmine, the people there suffer from abject poverty mainly due to the underutilization of the mountain. Despite its nearness to the Regional Capital, the mountain is yet to receive its needed prominence. Apart from the annual expeditions by the people of Asogli during the yam festival very few tourists patronize this mountain. 

On these heights of Adaklu, I envisage a mountain transformed into a huge economic asset with its rocks painted with artistic designs as well tourist reception facilities to improve the living standards of the people.

Finally on these heights, I call on all stakeholders to redirect their resources towards harnessing the full potentials of the Adaklu Mountians.