The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA) has unveiled an ambitious plan to increase the tourist attraction of the Bosomtwe Lake, the largest natural fresh water body in the West African sub-region.
This involves the construction of a walkway, zip-line for cable cars and a bicycle trail.
Mr. Peter Achampong, the acting Ashanti Regional Manager of the Authority, said there was also going to be a re-development of the Busia’s lodge, a strategic site with an airstrip, left abandoned since the overthrow of the late Prime Minister’s government in military coup in 1972.
He indicated that this would be done in partnership with the Bosomtwe and Bosome-Freho District Assemblies and some identified investors including M&J Travel and Tours.
He was speaking after a tour of the lake – a designated United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) heritage site.
Mr. Achampong said they were determined to ensure substantial rise in tourist arrivals to generate more revenue and create job opportunities for the people.
The youth in the area would be trained as tour guides.
Lake Bosomtwe, one of the natural wonders of the world, is 10.5 kilometres in diameter and provides livelihood for a combined population of about 70,000 in 30 communities.
Unsupervised activities of the people – farming, illegal tree felling, small-scale mining and car washing are not only polluting the lake but has led to sharp decrease in the volume.
Mr. Achampong said these would have to stop to protect the lake and achieve the goal of enlisting it as a world biosphere reserve to promote eco-tourism.
Nana Mathew Osei Prempeh, a Quality Assurance Officer of the GTA, said they were eager to maintain the quality of the water body for research and education purposes.
He expressed concern about inadequate sanitary facilities at the place and asked that this needed to be addressed.