The Ho Catholic Diocese has launched a project to promote religious tourism in the Volta Region to propel the growth of the local economy.

The Project estimated to cost GH₵840,000 would see the construction of a hermitage at the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in Kpando Agbenorxoe in the Kpando Municipality of the Volta Region.

This is targeted at further preserving the place of sanctuary, generating revenue, and creating jobs.

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto was established in the 1950s in Kpando Agbenorxoe in the Volta Region after the parish started in 1907.

It is a spiritual centre and replica of a prayer sanctuary in France, where Catholics and non-Catholics visit to seek the intercession of the Bless Virgin Mary.

There are 14 stations of the cross and the highest statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in West Africa, measuring about 8 meters at the Groto, together with other statues.

All these statutes were crafted with the hand.

Hundreds participated in the 2023 pilgrimage. They prayed and offered gifts to the feet of Mary.

During the 2023 pilgrimage, a magnificent incident took place, which the faithful believed was an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Ho Catholic Diocese Cathedral Administrator and Vice Chairman of Our Lady of Lourdes Development Committee, Rev. Father Isaac Benuyenah said that “Mary appeared in the sun.”

"And of a sudden we saw the sun up and down, moving up and down, changing colours, green, blue, yellow, red, and the whole place was covered with these colours. The big statue was changing colours”, he said.

Gauging the impact of the Grotto and the visiting frequency, the Diocese decided to provide it with a facelift.

A fundraiser was subsequently launched to raise funds to construct a hermitage for pilgrims.

The Chairman of the Development Committee, Alexander Kafui Azasu appealed to all and sundry to donate towards the project.

He explained that the project entails the construction of a 12-room facility in the serene environment of the Groto, adding that there would be a need to engage caretakers and tour guides to man the place of sanctuary.

“We need to pay them something, so I am calling on all well-wishers of the diocese to come on board and help us”, he said.

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto is currently under the care of Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI).