Gross negligence at Wli Waterfalls

Dear Maame Efua Houadjeto, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority, I write with a heavy heart and profound indignation to formally lodge a complaint against the management and authorities at the Wli Waterfalls. 

On Saturday, May 16, 2026, my brother and his friend visited the site, an outing that has tragically resulted in a life-or-death medical crisis due to the absolute lack of safety protocols and the gross negligence of the staff on-site.

During their visit, my brother’s friend suddenly fainted.

My brother, who was some distance behind, was eventually alerted to the situation.

Despite the friend’s condition rapidly deteriorating, not a single official or authority figure at the Wli Waterfalls offered assistance. 

There were no first-aid-trained professionals available, no basic medical kits and no emergency vehicle or ambulance stationed at the site to provide transport to a medical facility.

The level of apathy shown by the authorities was appalling. My brother’s friend was left lying on the ground until 10:00 p.m., because the site management failed to take any action.

It was only through the kindness of the local townspeople, who gathered a group of young men and three motorbikes, that he was eventually transported to a hospital.

By the time they reached the hospital, the delay had proven catastrophic. He was diagnosed with a stroke that has left his right side paralysed.

After an emergency transfer to a hospital in Accra, doctors confirmed that because no medical action was taken during the critical "golden hours" following the onset of the stroke, his condition deteriorated severely.

There is now a lack of blood flow to one side of his brain and he is currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) fighting for his life.

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) spends significant resources encouraging both Ghanaians and foreigners to visit our national landmarks.

It is, therefore, shocking and unacceptable that a major tourist destination such as the Wli Waterfalls operates without the most basic safety measures.

Emergency care and rapid response protocols are standard requirements for world-class tourist sites, yet they were non-existent when they were needed most.

I am officially requesting that the Ghana Tourism Authority takes the following actions:

• Launch an immediate investigation into the conduct of the staff and management present at the Wli Waterfalls on May 16, 2026.

• Order the immediate closure of the Wli Waterfalls to the public until adequate safety guards, including a permanent first-aid station, trained medical personnel and a dedicated emergency evacuation vehicle are put in place.

• Ensure accountability for the negligence that has led to a young man’s life-threatening condition.

I expect an immediate acknowledgment of this complaint and a detailed response regarding the steps being taken to address this failure.

We cannot allow more lives to be put at risk in the name of tourism.

Dr Gyasiwa Arhin PhD,

Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Johannesburg/ PhD: Psychology, University of St Andrews.

The letter was written to: The Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture; The Hohoe Municipal Assembly; The Ghana Health Service (Volta Region).