Ghanaian YouTuber and influencer, Wode Maya, recently stirred up an important conversation when he encouraged people to consider building vacation homes in the Volta Region. According to him, the region is rich in tourism potential, with beautiful landscapes, peaceful communities, and untapped opportunities that could be turned into vibrant destinations for local and international tourists.
Many people agreed with him. They believe building vacation homes in Volta will bring more visitors, boost the hospitality industry, and attract investment. After all, with more tourists coming in, small businesses like restaurants, guesthouses, tour guides, and transport services could benefit greatly. Some see it as a smart way to make the region more developed and recognized.
However, not everyone supports this idea. A strong group of Ghanaians have come out to oppose Wode Maya’s suggestion. They argue that vacation homes may only help the rich, while the locals suffer in silence. Their main concern is that if wealthy people start buying land and building fancy homes, the cost of living will rise. Locals may struggle to afford basic things like rent, food, and land for farming. Eventually, they fear the people who have lived there all their lives might be pushed out.
More importantly, these critics say what the Volta Region really needs is not vacation homes—but factories and industries. They argue that job creation should be the top priority. “What’s the use of a beautiful region if the people living in it are jobless?” one commenter asked online. Instead of focusing on turning Volta into a tourist paradise for outsiders, they believe the government and private investors should focus on empowering locals with jobs, skills training, and business opportunities.
This debate has opened a wider conversation about development in Ghana. Should we develop our regions for tourism or for industry? Can we find a balance between the two?
In truth, both sides raise important points. Vacation homes could bring in money, but long-term growth comes from giving people the ability to work and earn a decent living. Maybe it’s time to think beyond just building structures, and start building futures.
What do you think? Should the Volta Region become Ghana’s next tourism hotspot, or should we focus first on building job opportunities for the people who call it home?