- Akpafu Todzi

- Alavanyo Abeheanse

- Dr. Noamesi

- Gbi-Wegbe

- Gbledi (Afadjato)

- Have

- Kpeve

- Kpledzo

- Leklebi Agbesia

- Liati Wote

- Likpe Todome

- Logba Tota

- Tafi Abuipe

- Tafi Atome

- Wli

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Attractions in Hohoe District > Akpafu Todzi

Akpafu Todzi

Location

Located about 15 km north of Hohoe on the main Hohoe-Jasikan road is the Akpafu traditional area. At Akpafu Mempeasem, a dirt road that soon turns into another tarred road to the right leads up the mountain to Akpafu Todzi.

History

In the 19th century, the people of Akpafu started to mine iron, using some simple tools and lots of manpower. The iron allowed them to produce cutlery and other items of limited quality. When the German colonisers arrived, they introduced iron products of much higher quality, so that the demand for Akpafu iron decreased. Shortly after the First World War, the mining activities tapered off, and the skills and expertise were only preserved through hearsay. Today, none of the former iron miners is still alive. But some old pieces of cutlery give a reference for the historical activities.

The Town

Nana Afrifa Akuamoah IV, chief of Akpafu Todzi, is also the paramount chief of the Akpafu traditional area. The latter comprises five towns with an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 inhabitants. Akpafu Todzi is mainly a farming town for staple foods such as brown rice that grows on the mountain slopes.

Main Attractions

In Akpafu Todzi, visitors are introduced to the ancient iron mining that the forefathers of today’s inhabitants have practiced. They can visit the pit which was dug centuries ago, and then have a look at the melting place where the iron block was formed. The mine is located in an attractive mountainous tropical forest with huge old mango and acacia trees. On the way, there is also an old cemetery with dozens of cement graves. The area invites for more extensive hiking activities with very occasional glimpses of antelopes and bush pigs, and offers some stunning views of the surrounding area and several towns and villages.

Tourist Activities

Equipped with a good torch, visitors are allowed to enter the pit, a crude man-made tunnel. Inside, a guide explains the digging process and demonstrates how the rocks containing the iron were carried out of the pit with sacks. The burdensome walk through the pit takes just a few minutes, depending on which of the three exits the guide chooses. Afterwards, visitors walk over to the melting place, some five minutes away. It consists of a tall mud stove of about 1.60 m. To melt the iron, several layers of a special type of charcoal and of rocks from the pit are placed on top of each other. At the bottom of the stove, a vent is filled with fire wood. According to the guide, the smoke gradually changes its colour, indicating the melting process, from yellow to a mix of different colours of the rainbow and finally to black. In the end, the ashes are removed so that the liquid iron can flow out of the vent.

Much of this process is hearsay as the iron melting skills have not entirely been preserved. A maybe 60-year old guide, for example, would say “I don’t know much about it – I’m a young man”. Nevertheless, occasionally, groups of interested visitors have been able to follow the old procedure, dig some rocks in the pit and then melt the iron. With the necessary preparation, this activity is certainly possible.

Information for the Visitor

Arriving visitors should report to the chief first who will then organise one of the tourism committee members to show the mine.

Entrance Fees

Ghanaians:

Adults..................................................................25,000.00 cedis
Tertiary................................................................15,000.00 cedis
Pre-Tertiary...........................................................5,000.00 cedis
Organised Groups (20 and above)
a)Adults................................................................20,000.00 cedis/head
b)Tertiary..............................................................12,000.00 cedis/head
c)Pre-Tertiary.........................................................2,000.00 cedis/head

Non-Ghanaians:....................................................$4 per head
Organised Groups...................................................$3 per head.

There is a great need for good torches. While the pit itself is underneath the earth, the work at the melting place usually takes place at night time so that the different colours of the smoke can be observed.

Currently, there are no tourism facilities in the town. The nearest accommodation is probably available in Hohoe town. Furthermore, both transport and communication is a problem in Akpafu Todzi. Public transport leads to Akpafu Mempeasem at the foot of the mountain, from where a taxi can be hired. To make an arrangement for a visit, a public phone booth in Akpafu Mempeasem can be called from Hohoe, and the arrival information will be passed on to the responsible people in Akpafu Todzi.