PlugOut •Time away in nature, wholesome conversations

Imagine being chauffeured out of the busy city to a serene farm at Pokrom, a town on the Aburi- Nsawam Road in the Eastern Region.

Upon arrival, you are welcomed with fresh, farm-to-table coconut, a variety of fruit juices, probiotic yogurt with granola and a selection of toppings. Then, your phone is taken away so you can unplug, network and simply spend some time in nature! 

This and more were the offerings for the women who were part of the first edition of PlugOut at the Neville Farms Ghana last weekend.

Agrileisure Curator at the farm, Joyce Sackitey Ahiadorme, promised a fun and relaxing day in nature, and that’s exactly what she delivered.

After the welcome drinks and snacks, she led a session where each person introduced herself and shared an interesting activity or event they remember from specific years she mentioned.

Later, she led the group, who were now bonding into tasks and a short reading session intended to motivate them to stay focused despite the many challenges.

The group task encouraged teamwork

By 2 p.m., lunch from the farm kitchen was ready with the highlight being the grilled or fried rabbit meat.

The farm, which has been in existence since 2020, has a 600-unit rabbit farm, whose droppings are used as manure for farming various vegetables, including pepper, tomatoes, cabbage and cucumbers.

Mrs Ahiadorme explained that the meals served on the farm are selected with nutrition and health as a priority and “incorporating the idea of forward integration where the rabbits we produce on the farm are used in creating delicious food for our guests as part of our marketing strategy.”

Rabbit meat is gaining popularity in Ghana, and while some members of the group who were not new to the delicacy couldn’t wait to dig in, the first-timers equally enjoyed the meat, with some ordering fresh or seasoned rabbit meat sold on the farm.

After lunch, the options were to take a farm tour, spend some time in nature under the sheds or on the hammock or sleep.

Those who opted to stay under the sheds or tour the farm continued with conversations until it was time to return to Accra.

In an interview with The Mirror, the host said the idea was to give guests, especially women who are usually the primary caregivers, the chance to recharge in a serene and natural environment.

“The farm models my love for nature and the things that fulfill and energise me as a person. 
The idea behind PlugOut is to give women what I typically enjoy as a monthly routine. It is to allow them to take care of themselves as they create deeper bonds with other women and themselves in the most serene environment- nature.

“Nature is the purest way to healing and well-being. Everything we need is in nature and this is why we call on Ghanaians to explore nature and the Neville Farms Ghana for their outdoor activities,” she explained.

In addition to PlugOut, which is a monthly event, the farm, she added, was also open to host camping, corporate day retreats, photoshoots and family time out in nature.

Researcher and Educator, Dr Rachael Hansen-Garshong, who was on the trip, told The Mirror that the experience not only gave her time to reflect, but also to meet new people.

“These days, life moves so fast. Everyone is always in a rush, and being busy feels like the norm. That’s why it’s so important to be intentional about pausing to reflect—and that’s exactly what the PlugOut Hangout offered.

As someone who loves nature, the location couldn’t have been better—up in the mountains near Aburi, surrounded by lush greenery. It was just what I needed. I completely unplugged from technology—no phones, no laptops, no distractions—and just allowed myself to be present”, she said.

Writer's email: efiaamoakoa2@gmail.com