UNESCO supports sustainable management of the Bosomtwe Lake

Kumasi, Feb. 29, GNA – The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is to soon launch a two-year project to promote sustainable management of the Bosomtwe Lake.

The cost of the project is US,479,290.91 and the Spanish Government has agreed to provide the funding.

As part of preparations towards the initiation of the project, a stakeholders' consultative workshop was on Wednesday held at the Miklin Hotel in Kumasi.

This brought together traditional rulers, representatives of the Bekwai Municipal and the Bosomtwe and Bosome Freho District Assemblies, the 26 beneficiary communities, officials of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Water Resources, Work and Housing.

It provided the platform to build awareness about problems associated with the present unsustainable use of the lake resources and its catchment and to discuss roles they could play to tackle this.

Mr Tirso Dos Santos, Director of UNESCO's Office in Accra, noted that the lake was rich in aquatic biodiversity of national and global significance but had become vulnerable due to intense human pressure.

He said the project would adopt an integrated approach to conserve the aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity of the Lake Basin and catchment area through traditional conservation practices and community-based conservation programmes.

He said consultations would be held with the fishermen, farmers, and other stakeholders to establish community ownership and a biosphere reserve in the area.

Mr Edward Nti-Berko, the Bosomtwe District Chief Executive (DCE), gave high marks to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, for the significant part he played towards the development of the project.

He invited the people in communities located along the lake to share in the responsibility of protecting and conserving it for posterity adding that there would be enormous economic benefits to them if properly managed.

Dr Kofi Abban, a consultant in freshwater resources management, said there should be effective monitoring and evaluation of the project at all levels to ensure its success.

The Ashanti Regional Director of the EPA, Mr Isaac Osei, advised the people to avoid activities that could lead to the degradation of the environment saying the Agency would continue to support the people to protect the lake.

Mr Enoch Ofosu, a water resource specialist at the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, called for teamwork and cooperation to make the project a big success.

GNA