Eclipse of the sun occurs

Accra, March 29, GNA - The much anticipated eclipse of the sun began on Wednesday with scores of excited people viewing the phenomenon. At the Ministries in Accra many people rushed out of their offices with their special solar eclipse goggles to watch the event as the moon began creeping into the path of the sun.

Millions of Ghanaians in the Western, Central, Greater Accra, Eastern and Volta Regions experienced a total eclipse while those in the other regions had partial eclipse.

Ghanaian officials hope to use the opportunity to sell the country to the outside world.

Ghana is one of eight African countries to experience the solar eclipse. The others include Togo, Benin, Chad, Nigeria, Niger, Libya and Egypt.

The duration of the solar eclipse on March 29, was between the hours of 0830 and 0930.

Hundreds of tourists are in the country and most hotels along the coast of Ghana on the path of the solar eclipse were fully booked. Along the coast, some high grounds offered some advantages - two spots on high hills at Anomabo, McCarthy Hill, overlooking the Densu Plain, Shai Hills and Aburi Hills at Peduase. Accra experienced the passing shadow for about two minutes 58 seconds.

The National Planning Committee had sensitised the public about the eclipse and on how to ensure an incident-free event. It also created awareness of the importance of protecting the eyes, as observing an eclipse with the naked eye could cause irreversible eye damage.

The Siren at the General Post Office was sounded to alert the public about the occurrence of the eclipse and the need for everyone to watch it with the prescribed solar shades to prevent damage to the eye.