Until you go there, you'll never know what fascination and excitement the Volta Region part of our country holds. I am having the ‘Coffee Magic’ smoothie at Melting Moments, the new Labone joint that is the rave! I’ve been waiting here for my pal, Yeboah, whose Ashanti sounding name never makes me ever think of him as a ‘Voltarian’. For some reason - maybe it’s the smell of the coffee mixed with ice cream in the drink – my mind just that moment wandered to my first visit to Ho, when I stayed at the Chances Hotel. That was back in 2002.
It was a trip I had to make, for business, and I was not amused. I had always had this impression that I needed to 'psyche' myself up before making a trip there, more so, stay overnight. I’ve said this time and again, that like many Ghanaians, I had quite a hang-up about the people from this part of our country, and didn't think very much about their lot. Never mind that many of my closest friends come from here. Moreover, with all the tourism talk seemingly focusing on the castles and Ashanti, the Volta Region was the last place I ever thought had anything exciting to offer.
It didn’t help that I had to go by public transport.
Suffice it to say, my annoyance with the transport company’s lackadaisical attitude, which unfortunately still persists in many organizations in Ghana today made the whole experience still more daunting. My sense of foreboding compounding, we arrived after the hour and half journey at nighttime. As we halted at a red traffic light, I could hear the GTV news at 7 jingle being played in the distance which told me the time as I wore no watch. Looking out of the window, the town looked lively especially nearer the bus station. Aside the typical calls from mates looking for passengers, there was the usual loud music from a sound system over there, and this way, little kids, in tatters, playing, laughing with no care in the world. The night air was cool, with the distinctive smell of kelewele - hot spiced fried plantains - lingering along, and reminding me of how hungry I was by then.
Funny thing, on Metro news this week came the news that Ho is now totally dark with none of the traffic or street lights working, a far cry from what I saw back then. It was a complete town that I saw, with every major governmental and corporate institution in place; the IRS, Ghana News Agency, Ghana Commercial Bank, Ghana Roads and Highways, Barclays Bank, and recently opened, Readwide Bookshop! We even drove past the stadium along Starlet '91 Street.
I was meeting my party at the Chances Hotel, and I was to stay overnight there tonight. Not having heard anything about this hotel previously, I went there nonchalant and unexpectant. As it was dark, I was just as unimpressed as we entered the unassuming grounds. The reception was just as simple, but clean and modern, and there sat Gladys, the first pleasantry since I arrived in Eweland, well, after the familiar smell of kelewele.
Gladys checked me in and before long I was ushered into room 27. There, my excitement rising, I appreciated that appearances really are deceptive! From the reception to my room, we passed a manicured lawn of perfect green grass decorated with white lamps, coconut trees, cozy benches with tables, and a sand bay with swings and things for kids to play with. Room 27 was in an unfinished block. But inside, the room was a breath of fresh air. Air-conditioned, it was floored with white tiles, and white walls, with a twin bed that looked king-size. The room was too spacious for a hotel room, and as soon as Alex, the porter left after settling my bag down, I began to twirl and jump and kick in an ecstatic manoeuvre that would have had you just stand and watch in utter amusement! By Jove, I was excited. This was nothing like I expected and I then began to relax, feeling I could like this place. Brightly lit, and just as spacious with hot shower, the private bathroom was right next to the room, I found myself on the floor, pushing-up before I entered the shower where I took a long most refreshing wash.
I met my associate for our meeting in the 80-seater City Gate restaurant. Doris, the waitress, was funny. Though they didn't have most of what I wanted in the menu, she wouldn't tell me what they had ready, and insisted I tell her what I wanted, just for her to say, "We don't have it." Eventually, I had a sumptuous plate of Pepper Steak with Rice, and it was delicious. Apparently the chef was French from Togo, and his repertoire on the menu was quite exciting as well, with intricate salads, stir-fry's, and grilled fishes and other proteins.
A drink on the lawn with all the coconut palm surrounding us was nice. I felt completely relaxed. Nothing at the moment reminded me that I was in Eweland, a place that I had a hang-up about. I wished that the night wouldn't end. But soon I was back in my room. We were to return to Accra at dawn, setting out latest by 5. On M-Net was showing an interesting movie whose title I didn't see. I watched some of it and soon drifted into slumber. My wake-up call alarmed me. I managed to drag myself out of bed and took another hot shower, and joined my associates out at the car park, sorry to be leaving. The tranquility that existed at this hotel, which is set on the outskirts of the town, was loud. In the darkness, I decided to take another last tour of the grounds before leaving. I noticed a 120-seater conference hall, an Internet cafe, an art and craft shop, also stocked with vacation necessities like toothbrushes etc...
On my next visit a couple of years after, when we went on a most spectacular tour – the Volta has some of the most exciting attractions in Ghana – the hotel was completely finished, with Chances being about the best thing that happened to Ho by way of accommodation. Owner Emmanuel Chance, a builder by profession, literally took his time to put up this illustrious and tasty hotel with all its 16 self-contained chalets and some 52 rooms with twin beds, swimming pool and other amenities which is most popular with conferencing visitors who always prefer to stay at Chances!
How I wish I could now just go lounge there and catch up with what our girl Mimi is up to on ‘Big Brother 3’! So far so good, but I think she should just try to relax more, be herself and quit trying to ‘force-make’ friends. We live to see...
Tonight though, KSM is at it again. ‘Castle or Suicide’ his latest offering comes off in full swing at the National Theatre. See you there.
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