Ghana’s Mt. Gemi is best place to observe historic ‘Mercury Eclipse’ on Nov. 11

Mount Gemi in the Ho West District of the Volta Region, offers the best view of Mercury eclipse on Monday, November 11, according to a leading Ghana Centre of the World pioneer, Azonko Simpi.

Mr Azonko, who is also consultant on the Gemi project told the Ghana News Agency that, Mt. Gemi, which is highest point closest to the Greenwich Meridian will offer stargazers the finest opportunity to witness the planet Mercury transit across the sun between the hours of 1230 and 1800 hours.

The event, invisible to the naked eye, could be viewed with a solar telescope or solar glass.

The viewing is part of a four-pronged event scheduled for the day, organised by the Avatime Traditional Council, Okusie Akyem Foli V, Chief of Avatime Amedzofe in collaboration with the Volta Regional Coordinating Council, and the Ghana Tourism Authority at Amejofe Park and Mt Gemi in the Ho West District.

An upgraded Mt Gemi Cross, erected on November 11, 1939, would be commissioned on the day to mark its 80th Anniversary.

The cross was erected to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Evangelical Church at Amedzofe, which was established in 1889. The upgrade would add value to the cross by throwing some light beams around it to make it more visible, Mr. Azonko noted.

He said the Gemi Cross would be linked to the Ghana Centre of the World project as an iconic scientific landmark at 0.26 degrees east of the Greenwich Meridian- less than 40 miles from the Meridian.

Mount Gemi, at 2,621 feet above sea level, is the highest point along the Greenwich Meridian from the North pole to the South pole.

The cross is at 2,621 feet, and spins at approximately 1,010 miles per hour.

“We believe Mt Gemi is the best place to observe the transit and experience it,” he said.

The World Armistice Bell would be tolled at 1100 hours on the day following the commissioning of the upgraded cross at 1000 hours.

Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister will be the guest of honour.