Saturday, 17th August 2024;A Trip to Cosy Hills, Jirapa

On Saturday, 17th August 2024, as part of our weekend relaxation, the chapter delegates embarked on a memorable trip to Royal Cosy Hills, a four-star luxury safari resort located in Jirapa, in the Upper West Region of Ghana. The journey included visits to two FIC Brothers schools: Louis Rutten High School and St. Basilede Technical College. Observing a day out this weekend was more than welcome news since this certainly would offer an opportunity to recreate, relax and prepare for the coming days.

Our day began with a morning Eucharistic Mass led by the Indonesian delegation to mark the 79^th Independence anniversary of Indonesia, which was a special moment for our brothers from Indonesia. The Mass was a meaningful way to start the day, bringing everyone together in prayer and reflection.

At Louis Rutten High School, the students welcomed us with a heartwarming performance of their school anthem, which set a positive tone for the rest of the day. The hospitality we received at both schools was truly remarkable, showcasing the warmth and friendliness of the local community.

Upon arrival at the safari resort popularly known as “Jirapa Dubai”, we were warmly welcomed and taken round the safari park, exposing us to an impressive sight-seeing of wildlife. Among the animals we saw were peacocks, ducks, giant tortoises, wild hares, horses, monkeys, lions, jackals, wild cats, antelopes, zebras, wild pigs, and ostriches. In addition to the wildlife was an imposing man-made lake, which added to the serene and natural atmosphere of the surroundings.

Despite a brief interruption by rain, which disturbed our outdoor activity, we still managed to enjoy the sight-seeing and the beauty of the natural environment. The hippopotamus cage was the last place. Here the creatures were seen feeding, and this brought the exciting tour to an end.  Having tired out from the tour, we proceeded to the resort restaurant for a delightful lunch and some refreshing drinks. The weather didn't dampen our spirits, and we continued to explore and appreciate the beauty of the facilities at the Royal Cosy hills Hotel Resort & Safari arena.

Overall, it was a day well spent, making delegates feel delighted, and with a lot of cultural exchanges, new experiences and the joy of being part of nature. The trip provided a wonderful opportunity to bond with fellow Brothers and experience the local environment, making it a memorable part of our General Chapter activities.

Report by: Bro. Trustful Mwachande