Mr Richard Mosiah Abaaba Allen, a 43-year-old Researcher on Human Behaviour, has embarked on a 500-kilometre walk from Keta to Beyin near Axim in the Western Region.
The walk, which would take Mr Allen to Forts and Castles along the coast, is in connection with World Tourism Day which would be celebrated worldwide, in Ghana on September 27, 2009.
The Universal Hospitality Company is organizing the walk to throw the searchlight on Castles and Forts in Ghana based on the theme for the celebration of the Day; "Tourism: Celebrating Diversity."
At a meeting with Mr Theophilus Aidoo-Mensah, Gomoa West District Chief Executive (DCE), and the Administrative Staff of the Assembly, Mr Anthony Annan, Project Coordinator, Universal Hospitality Company said they hoped the walk would rekindle public interest in Forts and Castles not only a as unique Cultural Heritage, but also as resources for economic development.
He urged the assemblies to collaborate with Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, Ghana Tourist Board and the Ministry of Tourism for systematic maintenance of the facility.
The DCE gave the assurance that the Assembly would do everything to rehabilitate it.
At another meeting with Nana Edu Effrim X and his elders, Mr Anthony Yaw Owusu, Ashanti Regional Director of the Ghana Museums and Monuments Board, traced the history of Fort Patience which was constructed by the Dutch between 1697 and 1702, but was later taken over by the British.
He pointed out that Forts and Castles formed part of the World Heritage List of UNESCO and appealed to communities in which they are sited to take good care of them to generate income for the local communities.
Nana Effrim pointed out that several efforts by the community to take over the management of the facility proved futile, and appealed to the Board to consider the request.
Mr Allen's previous walking record includes Kumasi-Sunyani-Kumasi: 1st to 4th October 2004, Joint Programme with Nhyira FM in support of the Senior National Football Team, Black Stars; Sandema-Accra: 14th to 27th May 2007, Tuberculosis Awareness Walk; and Tamale-Accra: 12th to 22nd August 2008, Violence Free Election Walk.