ANKOBRA BEACH RETREAT

Where three friends share a vision with the rest of the world

ORIGIN STORY

It’s not easy to pinpoint the exact moment when dreams become reality. It was early 1990 when President JOHN JERRY RAWLINGS implemented political reforms which would have major impact on GHANA’S political future. The country’s tourism infrastructure was practically non-existent. Three friends got together in the small village of Brewire on GHANA’S west coast.
A Black US American Art Historian (TORITA QUICK), a German Engineer ( FLORIAN WOLFART) and a Ghanaian Professor (DR AUGUSTUS ADDAE-MENSAH✝) went to visit the local Palace as traditional protocol dictates. The ailing village Chief NANA GYAMIN II welcomed the friends warmly. He told them that he had in fact dreamed of their coming and the ancestors had informed him of their purpose. Initially rather surprised, the trio of friends soon found themselves tasked with fulfilling the dying wish of the kind and humble Chief. He implored them to invest in the future of his village and the surrounding area. From this point everything progressed quite quickly. Just days later, a parcel of land was gifted to them for this specific purpose. At sunrise, that very morning, the friends set off from Brewire/Axim ,walking barefoot along the beach to the property. It was a densly planted, lush coconut grove, fronted by a pristine white sandy beach.

They sat in silence on the warm sand, enjoying the pleasantly cool ocean breeze and the sound of the waves rolling in before them. They looked left from where they’d come and saw the ghostly white outlines of Fort St Antonio looming at the end of Axim. Their view took in an island ,which they would soon learn is inhabited by a vast population of Golden Bats who like clockwork , fly at dawn over the beach to some distant forest and back to their island at dusk. Far off along the horizon they could just make out several local fishing boats…long and elegantly crafted dugouts, steadily cutting in and out of the endless ocean. Florian broke the silence saying quietly, “ There is so much history here, so much beauty…” Torita continued softly “Each one of us here has been connected and effected by this history…my roots began here.” Augustus looked at them both directly and said, “ This is my home.”

The commited trio’s friendship, concerted vision, efforts and considerable investment led ultimately to the birth of ANKOBRA BEACH RETREAT…an international meeting place that is heartfelt, authentic and locally rooted… a space which is cosmopolitan and always welcoming…a natural haven where sustainability is not a trend but a commitment.

ANKOBRA BEACH RETREAT strives to create a unique and memorable experience for its guests. The mission has always been to carefully and respectfully integrate traditional Ghanaian elements into every aspect of the RETREAT, and actively involve and support the local community. ANKOBRA BEACH RETREAT aims to convey a philosophy that is inclusive and appealing to a global audience which is eager to discover the true beauty and uniqueness of Ghana and the African continent.

Today it is Torita, herself now a Queen Mother, and Florian, who actively endeavor to keep the trio’s dream alive.

FLORIAN WOLFART
TORITA WOLFART

Nana Akua Akyere II Atwimahemaa

DR AUGUSTUS ADDAE-MENSAH ✝