Dayi River at Kpeve – Paul’s Dream

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The day following our river trek, Paul took us to another river spot, a short drive from Kpeve town. No rice farming in this spot, just the peaceful, quiet beauty of the river, fishermen, boats, and fisher family activity in open huts on the shore. Looking across the river at this place is an island (or what looks to be an island) on which Paul dreams of having an ecotourist resort for all income levels, Ghanaians and international visitors.

We had a fun day, unlike no other. In addition to enjoying the river, scenery, boats, and fishermen and family activities, we enjoyed some transportation on Paul’s motorbike. Celia and I travelled to Kpeve (a few short minutes) by trotro, and Paul met us there on his motorbike. He then took each of us, in turn, down to the river. I was first, and was left at the open hut of a fisher family, some cooking, some cleaning fish. No English spoken here! So, I communicated by taking pictures (with their permission) and entertaining them with the instant feedback. Following our beach tour, we returned, in the same order we came, to Kpeve town. Paul situated me in an outdoor bar before going back to the river for Celia. When I saw them arrive in town, I expected them to join me, but they disappeared. After some wait, Paul returned to take me to a village high above town where Celia was waiting. Paul’s cousin’s wife, Veronica, has a store and outdoor café there, and she fed us a delicious chicken soup which we all ate together from the same bowl. I spooned broth around the chicken, which was chopped in chunks, bone, skin, and all. She was a generous and graceful hostess, and following lunch joined us for a walk up to a high point in town where we admired the village and vistas below.

Back to Kpeve in turns, we then returned to Have as we came, in a trotro. We were now official resort development experts, and Paul expected us to participate in a brainstorm planning session, with some of his associates, in how to get the development plan in action. At the meeting, I could only speak as a customer and what I thought visitors of all walks of life would like to experience. The group was happy with our input, then other issues were addressed, such as who owns the island and would they sell?, what government agencies have authority, i.e., what permissions/permits would be required, development consultants, funding, etc. It could really be a wonderful thing for the community. I hope that Paul’s dream is realized.

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Photos

Paul and his Dream
from "Dayi River at Kpeve - Paul's Dream" by Denise Ward

Fishing Boats at Rest
from "Dayi River at Kpeve - Paul's Dream" by Denise Ward

Cleaning the Catch
from "Dayi River at Kpeve - Paul's Dream" by Denise Ward

Fishermen and Boats
from "Dayi River at Kpeve - Paul's Dream" by Denise Ward

Repairing Nets
from "Dayi River at Kpeve - Paul's Dream" by Denise Ward