Assembly rallies to boost Lake Bosomtwe attraction

The Bosomtwe District Assembly in the Ashanti region has identified developments in road and housing infrastructure as critical factors in the drive to maximize the full economic and tourism potentials of the Lake Bosomtwe.

Foreign and domestic tourists are increasingly being attracted to the only natural lake in Ghana, which is affectionately acclaimed the 'Sea of Ashanti'.

It indeed feels good and pleasant to be at the banks of the lake, especially on a warm afternoon – to enjoy the soothing breeze, the whistling of the birds and the greenery that abound around the calm water; where man and his natural surroundings come into a harmonious allure.

Travelling from the Ashanti regional capital, Kumasi, to the lakeside itself is fun – the exciting scenes of rural living, the beckon to taste palmwine en-route to the lake town of Abono and the politeness of the youth of the area to educate you about their history, the history behind the Lake Bosomtwe; often tapering into the mystery of a hunter and a missing antelope.

Recreational activities for holidaymakers and visitors to the lakeside include swimming, lake cruise, musical jamboree and most recently horse cum canoe ride, which is under a private-sector initiative. A number of hotels and resorts have also sprung up, offering diverse services to patrons.

The Republic Day Lake Festival has also been instituted by the Ghana Tourist Board, in collaboration with the Bosomtwe District Assembly and the Multimedia Group, to boost the tourism and socio-economic potentials of the area.

The maiden edition on July 1, 2011 attracted thousands of residents in the Ashanti region and beyond to join in the fun at the lakeside. Highlife artistes, Kofi B, KK Fosu and Kofi Nti thrilled holidaymakers with their exciting live band performances.

The event has been described as a huge success by organizers and patrons.

However, the area's potentials remain untapped because of under-developed facilities to promote eco-tourism around the inland lake.

The Bosomtwe District Assembly is scouting for investors to create a water park for water sporting activities, as well as cycling and hiking routes to provide adventure and recreation for visitors.

The district is also hoping to take advantage of the forest cover and slopes around the lake to create a park with hanging bridges, similar to the Kakum National Park's canopy walk.

District Coordinating Director, Felicia Dapaah has told Luv News communities along and around the lake would benefit from such investments when housing and road infrastructures are enhanced.

“Even though we have quite a number of hotels dotted around the area, because our district is very close to Kumasi, we believe that if we have a housing policy – a very good housing programme, it will also boost tourism in the area. We are thinking about one bedroom, two bedroom apartments, where people coming to Kumasi or the lakeside will spend a day or two with their family members.

“Then we are also thinking about our roads; if you look at communities along the lake, as we speak now there is no linkage to the various communities and if we have a cycling route along the lake that links the various communities, that could also be an exciting adventure for people”, Mrs. Dapaah told Luv FM.

The Ghana Tourist Board is currently collaborating with the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council to undertake a socio-economic survey as a step to develop a land-use plan for the enclave.

The project should help attract investors to improve the livelihood of local communities and the Multimedia Group has expressed commitment to support all initiatives to develop the area.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh/Luv Fm/Ghana