I remember the exact moment I almost gave up on weekend trips entirely. I had planned this elaborate escape to a "quiet, spiritual" destination that turned out to be a construction site with a view of a parking lot. The "serene" hotel was above a nightclub. By Sunday morning, I was more stressed than when I left Accra. That’s when a friend from Ho laughed and said, "You’re doing it wrong. You don’t visit Ho to escape. You visit Ho to find something."
He was right. And what you find there—especially if you know where to look—is a weekend that feeds your stomach, your soul, and your curiosity all at once. Let’s talk about why you should pack your bag right now, and the one church that might just change how you see Sunday worship.
The Weekend Escape You Didn’t Know You Needed
Let’s be honest: the typical Accra weekend is a predictable loop. Traffic on Friday, Netflix on Saturday, church on Sunday, and back to the grind on Monday. You’re tired, but you can’t quite name why. You need a reset, not just a rest.
Ho offers that reset in a way that feels almost unfair. It’s only about three hours from Accra (if you leave early Friday), but it feels like a different country. The air is cleaner. The hills are greener. The pace of life slows down to a human rhythm. I’ve found that the best weekends are the ones where you actually feel the hours pass, instead of just surviving them.
But here’s the secret most people miss: Ho is not just a "nature" destination. It’s a cultural and spiritual hub. The Volta Region is the heartbeat of Ghanaian hospitality, and Ho is its pulsing center. You come for the scenery, but you stay for the people and the peace.
3 Things You Must Do Before Sunday Morning
If you’re going to make the drive, don’t waste your Saturday. Here’s my personal shortlist of things that actually deliver. No fluff.
1. Hike Mount Adaklu (Before It Gets Too Hot) Yes, it’s a workout. Yes, your legs will complain. But the view from the top is the kind that makes you forget your phone exists for a solid ten minutes. I did this hike last year with a group of friends who swore they were "not outdoor people." Three of them have gone back without me. The key is to start by 6 AM. Bring water, wear good shoes, and don’t be afraid to take breaks. The locals will cheer you on—literally.
2. Eat at the Togbe Kofi Market Forget the fancy restaurants. The real food in Ho happens at the market. Get the fufu with groundnut soup from the woman near the entrance who has been there for 22 years. She doesn’t have a sign. She doesn’t need one. Her soup has a depth of flavor that makes you question every "authentic" restaurant you’ve ever visited.
3. Visit the Wli Waterfalls (Upper Falls) This is about a 45-minute drive from Ho, but it’s non-negotiable. The Upper Falls requires a guide and a bit of hiking, but the reward is a waterfall that feels like it belongs in a movie. The water is cold, the mist is refreshing, and the silence (broken only by the falls) is the kind of quiet that heals a noisy mind.
Pro tip: Don’t try to do all three in one day. Pick two. Leave room for spontaneity. The best memories in Ho happen when you’re not rushing.
Why Your Sunday Morning Matters More Than Your Saturday Night
Here’s where I need to be real with you. I’ve attended churches in Accra that felt like concerts. I’ve attended churches that felt like board meetings. But I’ve never attended a church that felt like a homecoming until I visited The Lord's Pentecostal Church (TLPC) – Ho Central Assembly.
I know. You’re thinking, "Yaw, a Pentecostal church in Ho? That’s like saying water is wet." But hear me out.
TLPC Ho Central is different. It’s not just the worship (which is genuinely powerful, even for someone like me who usually prefers a quiet service). It’s the intentionality. The pastor doesn’t just preach—he teaches. The congregation doesn’t just sing—they engage. And the atmosphere? It’s electric without being chaotic. You feel the presence of something bigger than yourself, and that’s rare.
What I appreciate most is the community focus. After service, people don’t just rush to their cars. They linger. They talk. They ask about your week. I’ve had strangers pray for me there, and I’m not even a member. It’s the kind of church that makes you want to stay for the second service just to soak it in.
If you’re visiting Ho for a weekend, make TLPC Ho Central your Sunday stop. The service starts at 8:30 AM sharp. Come early, sit in the middle, and just let the experience happen. You’ll leave with a lighter heart and a clearer head.
The Hidden Spiritual Side of Ho Most Tourists Overlook
Here’s the truth that guidebooks won’t tell you: Ho has a spiritual energy that goes beyond the churches. The Volta Region is home to deep traditions, and Ho sits at a crossroads of the old and the new.
If you have time on Saturday evening, visit the Ho Market Square around dusk. You’ll see small groups of elders praying, women selling candles and incense, and a quiet reverence that feels ancient. This isn’t a tourist attraction—it’s a living tradition. Respect it. Observe quietly. If someone offers to pray for you, let them. I’ve had some of the most profound moments of peace in that square, surrounded by strangers who became temporary family.
Don’t confuse spirituality with spectacle. The best experiences in Ho are the ones that don’t have a ticket price. They’re the conversations with the woman selling kenkey who tells you about her son in university. They’re the silence of the hills at sunset. They’re the unexpected prayer from a stranger that hits you right where you needed it.
How to Plan Your Weekend Without Losing Your Mind
Planning a trip can feel like a second job. Here’s my simplified approach that actually works.
Friday:
- Leave Accra by 3 PM to beat traffic.
- Check into a guesthouse (I recommend Volta Hotel for comfort or Ho Dome for budget-friendliness).
- Grab dinner at Chances Restaurant — their banku with tilapia is legendary.
- 6 AM: Hike Mount Adaklu.
- 9 AM: Breakfast at the market.
- 11 AM: Visit the Volta Regional Museum (small but packed with history).
- 2 PM: Drive to Wli Waterfalls (Upper Falls if you’re fit, Lower Falls if you want an easy walk).
- 7 PM: Dinner at the guesthouse or a local chop bar.
- 7:30 AM: Head to TLPC Ho Central Assembly.
- 10 AM: Post-service brunch at Afriyie Restaurant.
- 12 PM: Drive back to Accra, or take a slow afternoon exploring the town.
The One Thing That Will Make You Come Back
I’ve been to Ho four times now. Each visit, I find something new. But the one constant that keeps pulling me back is the people. There’s a warmth here that you can’t fake. It’s in the way the taxi driver gives you his personal number "just in case." It’s in the way the church usher remembers your name from last year. It’s in the way the market woman gives you an extra piece of kelewélé "because you look like you need it."
You don’t visit Ho to escape. You visit Ho to be seen.
So here’s my challenge to you: This weekend, don’t just scroll through Instagram looking at other people’s adventures. Get in the car. Drive to Ho. Hike the hill. Eat the fufu. And on Sunday morning, walk into TLPC Ho Central with an open heart. Let the worship wash over you. Let the community embrace you. Let the hills remind you that life is bigger than your to-do list.
You might just find what you didn’t know you were looking for.