ABU Vice-Chancellor, Staff Embark on Thrilling Adventure at Ghana’s Volta River

The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Kabiru Bala, alongside some staff members of the institution, recently embarked on an exhilarating excursion at the renowned Volta River in Ghana. The adventure followed a three-day intensive training workshop on quality assurance in higher education leadership and management, held in Accra and organized by the Global Quality Assurance Association (GQAA). The participation of ABU in the workshop was facilitated by the Africa Centre of Excellence on New Pedagogies in Engineering Education (ACENPEE) and the Africa Centre of Excellence for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Forensic Biotechnology (ACENTDFB).

Among the distinguished team members accompanying the Vice-Chancellor were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Raymond B. Bako; Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Ibrahim A. Mohammed-Dabo; and Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Halidu Isa Bayero. The visit to the Volta River was led by Dr. Violet Makuku, the Director of GQAA, and featured a captivating sightseeing boat cruise along the river’s scenic islands.

The journey to the Akosombo area, where the Volta River is located, covered approximately 100 kilometers from Accra. Along the way, the team made a brief stop at Mamasita Rest Spot, where they relaxed and captured memorable moments. Upon arrival at the river, they embarked on a 30-minute cruise, fully equipped with life jackets, to ensure safety. The cruise, which was operated by Matter Cruises Company, covered three out of the 16 islands in the river, starting from the Adi Lake Resort and passing through the Adome Bridge to the Royal Senchi.

McCarthy Akorli, a 22-year-old tour guide and senior captain of the cruise boat, provided insightful commentary on the history, mysteries, and significance of the Volta River. He explained that the river, which originates from the Bobo-Dioulasso highlands of Burkina Faso, is the main water system in Ghana and was dammed at Akosombo to generate hydroelectric power. The resulting reservoir, Lake Volta, is the largest man-made reservoir by area in the world. He also highlighted the popularity of the river as a tourist attraction, receiving an average of 250 visitors daily.

Akorli further revealed that the river hosts over 60 commercial boats for cruises and ferrying goods, with world-class hotels dotting the surrounding landscape. He pointed out that one of the islands is home to a Jamaican farmer who cultivates watermelon, cucumber, and mango on a commercial scale, relying on solar panels for electricity due to the lack of grid power.

Expressing his excitement about the adventure, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Kabiru Bala described the excursion as “quite memorable” and extended his appreciation to Dr. Makuku for organizing the visit. Similarly, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Raymond B. Bako, described the experience as “thrilling” and noted the stability of the river as a key attraction, alongside the luxurious hotels and picturesque surroundings.

After the cruise, the team proceeded to the Akosombo Bridgeview Hotel, where they had lunch and took time to relax before embarking on their return journey to Accra. The adventure at the Volta River served as a refreshing conclusion to their academic engagements in Ghana, leaving the ABU delegation with unforgettable memories of their time in the West African nation.