Five (5) Things You Probably Never Knew About Lake Bosomtwe

Lake Bosomtwe

Lake Bosomtwe is Ghana’s largest natural lake. With a shoreline of 37 kilometers, it covers an area of 47 kilometers square and has a diameter of 8 kilometers. Lake Bosomtwe is situated 32 kilometers south-east of Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital. The Ashantis regard the lake as a sacred water body. To scientist from all over the world, Lake Bosomtwe holds the key to several geological puzzles and has been under keen observation and various studies ever since it was first publicized by an European travel writer in 1698.

  1. Oral Traditions

According to oral tradition, the lake was discovered by a hunter chasing a species of antelope called “Otwe” that he shot. The animal dived into the lake and disappeared; this was interpreted to mean that the “Otwe” was a messenger of the gods, or “obosom”: hence the name Bosomtwe came into being.

2. Local Taboos

Dugout canoes, paddles, sails and iron hooks are taboo on the lake. Fishermen balance on the peculiar log floats called “padua” and propel themselves by paddling with their bare hands.

Fishing nets were formerly banned but are now allowed. The prescribed tools were reed nets and baskets. Sunday is the holy day of the lake on which no fishing is allowed.

  3. Scientific Puzzles

The first curiosity, which confronted scientists about the circular lake, was its origin.

Ringed by steep hills rising 300 to 420 metres high, the lake has the appearance of a volcanic crater lake and no water runs out of it. Yet only a little volcanic material has been discovered in the vicinity. Other researchers suggested that the lake was formed due to a faulting of the land. However, the most accepted theory is that the crater was created by a failing meteorite about 3.5 million years ago.

    4. Fossil Discoveries and Chromis bosomanus

The discovery of fossilized fish bones 150 metres away from the present shore shows that the lake was once larger than its present size. Current scientific observation includes the slow rise in the level of the lake, shown by the number of trees once standing on dry land but now sticking out of the water along the edges.

Scientists believe that the lack of oxygen at the bottom of the lake makes it impossible for crawling creatures to live at the bottom hence the possibility of finding accumulated debris of plant, animal and human remains dating back to millions of years old. The lake lies at an elevation of 130 metres above sea level and with a depth of 75 metres. Eight species of fish are found in the lake, including “Chromis bosomanus” found nowhere else in the world.

5. Fresh Water

There are occasional gaseous “explosions” which are believed to emit accumulated organic waste, hence the water is unusually fresh for a landlocked water body. The lake is surrounded by 25 towns and villages and fishing is the main occupation.