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Lake Bosumtwi

Coordinates: 06°30′20″N 01°24′33″W / 6.50556°N 1.40917°W / 6.50556; -1.40917
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Lake Bosumtwi
Location of Lake Bosumtwi in Ghana.
Location of Lake Bosumtwi in Ghana.
Lake Bosumtwi
Location of Lake Bosumtwi in Ghana.
Location of Lake Bosumtwi in Ghana.
Lake Bosumtwi
LocationAshanti
Coordinates06°30′20″N 01°24′33″W / 6.50556°N 1.40917°W / 6.50556; -1.40917
TypeAncient lake, Impact crater lake
1.07 million years old[1]
Primary inflowsrainfall[2]
Primary outflowsnone[2]
Catchment area400 km2 (150 sq mi)[2]
Basin countriesGhana
Max. length8.6 km (5.3 mi)
Max. width8.1 km (5.0 mi)
Surface area49 km2 (19 sq mi)[2]
Average depth45 m (148 ft)[2]
Max. depth81 m (266 ft)[2]
Surface elevation150 m (490 ft)
References[2]

Lake Bosomtwe[3] is the only natural lake in Ghana. It is situated within an ancient impact crater that is about 10.5 kilometres (6.5 mi) in diameter.[2] It is about 30 km (19 mi) south-east of Kumasi, the capital of Ashanti, and is a popular recreational area. There are about 30 villages near the crater lake of Lake Bosomtwe, with a combined population of about 70,000.[4] The most popular amongst the villages where tourists usually settle is Abono.[5][6]

The Ashanti consider Bosomtwe a sacred lake. According to traditional belief, the souls of the dead come here to bid farewell to the goddess Asase Ya. Because of this, it is considered permissible to fish in the lake only from wooden planks. Among the fish species in the lake is the endemic cichlid Hemichromis frempongi, and the near-endemic cichlids Tilapia busumana and T. discolor.[7][8][9]

Impact crater

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Bosumtwi crater
Bosumtwi crater is located in Africa
Bosumtwi crater
Bosumtwi crater
Asteroid impact location in Africa
Impact crater/structure
ConfidenceConfirmed
Diameter10.5 km (6.5 mi)
Depth
  • 380 m (1,250 ft) (exposed)
  • 750 m (2,460 ft) (original, incl. sediments)
Age1.07 Ma
CountryGhana
Planar deformation features from the Bosumtwi impact crater visible under the optical and scanning electron microscope.[10]

The Lake Bosomtwe impact crater is 10.5 km (6.5 mi) in diameter, slightly larger than the present lake which is approximately 8 km (5.0 mi) across, and is estimated to be 1.07 million years old (Pleistocene period).[1][11]

The depth of crater is approximately 380 m (1,250 ft), but, if counted together with the depth of lake sediments - 750 m (2,460 ft).[12]

The crater has been partly eroded, and is situated in dense rainforest, making it difficult to study and confirm its origin by meteorite impact. Shock features such as shatter cones are largely overgrown by vegetation or covered by the lake. However, drilling of the crater's central uplift beneath the lake floor has recently provided an abundance of shocked materials for scientific study.[11] Tektites, believed to be from this impact, are found in the neighbouring country of Ivory Coast, and related microtektites have been found in deep sea sediments west of the African continent.[11]

A work based on a statistical study of past numerical orbital simulations of the impact event[13] asserts that the possible origin of the impactor is an asteroid coming from the middle main-belt at a high inclination (>17 degrees).[14]

History of Bosomtwe

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Lake Bosomtwe — sometimes spelled Bosomtwi — is a beautiful, round lake tucked away in Ghana’s Ashanti Region. Scientists believe it was formed about a million years ago when a meteor crashed into the earth. The lake is surrounded by steep hills covered in thick forests, and around its shores, you’ll find small fishing and farming villages, along with a few places for visitors to stay.

But beyond the science, the local people have their own story. According to Ashanti oral tradition, the lake was born in 1648 when a hunter named Akora Bompe was chasing a wounded antelope. In the local Twi language, antelope is called “Otwe.” The animal, even after being injured, kept running until it suddenly disappeared into a small pond. Bompe, amazed by what he saw, believed the water was a sacred being that had saved the antelope. He decided to settle there and named the place “Bosomtwe,” which means "antelope god."[15]

Each village around the lake has its own shrine or sacred grove. Even though Christianity later spread through the area, many people still hold onto their traditional beliefs, especially when seeking help during hard times or illnesses.

Today, about 23,000 people live in the 27 communities around Lake Bosomtwe. The lake remains a spiritual center for many, and visitors often come to pray or seek blessings.

One particularly important spot is the Abrodwum Stone, believed to be the spiritual heart of the lake. When harvests are poor, the community comes together for a special ceremony led by the Asantehene, the king of the Ashanti people. They sacrifice a cow, offering its innards to the stone, while the rest of the meat is thrown into the lake. It’s quite a sight — villagers rush into the water, wielding cutlasses and axes, eager to grab their share.

Lake Bosomtwe holds deep meaning for the Ashanti people. Some believe a god named Twi lives in the lake; others say it’s a resting place for souls on their way to the afterlife. It's also tied to the Nton system — a belief that a father’s traits are passed down to his children through spiritual divisions, with Bosomtwe being one of them.

Traditionally, it was taboo to touch the lake with anything made of iron. Instead of regular boats, locals used "padua" — simple wooden planks that require real skill to steer without tipping over.

No matter which story you believe — whether from science or legend — Lake Bosomtwe is an incredible place. Its peaceful waters, towering crater walls covered in lush greenery, and the deep traditions of the people make it perfect for hiking, birdwatching, fishing, canoeing, or simply soaking in the beauty and spirit of the land.

Climate history

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Before the asteroid impact, the area was a lush rainforest filled with animals. Following the impact, the resulting crater filled with water forming Lake Bosomtwe.[16]

Periods of heavy rainfall filled the crater with water, causing the lake level to rise above the lowest points of the rim. Such periods are evidenced from fossils of fish found on hilltops. Water even flowed from the basin through an overflow channel. However, there were also times when the water level was so low that the rainforest entered the basin rendering the lake only a small pond. Such a period, according to legend and now proved by paleoclimate records, lasted until about 300 years ago.[17][18]

Human history

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The legends say that in 1648 an Ashanti hunter named Akora Bompe from the city of Asaman was chasing an injured antelope through the rainforest. Suddenly, the animal disappeared in a small pond. It was as if this body of water wanted to save the animal's life. The hunter never got the antelope, though he settled close to the water and started catching fish. This place he named "Bosomtwe", meaning "antelope god". This story suggests that at that time the lake level was very low. The large dead trees standing offshore in the lake also evidence this, for they are over 300 years old.

The following centuries saw several wars about the lake as both the Ashanti and the Akim clashed, each claiming the area. The Ashanti prevailed. Each village in the lake area has its own shrine or fetish grove. With the arrival of Christianity, some of people gave up former beliefs, though many continue to seek traditional help in bad times or against diseases.

The Abrodwum Stone is held to be the spiritual centre of the lake. Here, when there is such poor fishing it is considered a bad omen, the lake people sacrifice a cow. This act is celebrated in the presence of the Ashanti king, the Asantehene. In the ceremony, the cow's innards are given to the stone and the rest is thrown into the lake. The crowd rushes into the water with cutlasses and axes to take their share of the meat.

There is a traditional taboo against touching the water with iron and modern boats are not considered appropriate. The padua, a wooden plank requiring considerable skill to maneuver, is the legitimate method. Other taboos such as not washing, bathing or throwing effluents into the Lake that were formerly strictly observed, aided in maintaining the purity and health of the Lake.[5] However, these taboos are not observed by residents or visitors due to their weak implementation by the Abono Traditional Council.

There are current environmental concerns, including overfishing and inadequate farming methods. The growing population increased demand for fish. Excessive fishing led to steadily decreasing catches, forcing increased reliance on agriculture. As more and more of the hills are converted into farmland, exposing the surface to the heavy rainfalls, soil erosion becomes an ever-greater problem. In addition there is the changing lake level. Many villages have been submerged several times forcing the people to move up the slopes or outside the basin. That is the origin of such double names as Pipie No.1 and Pipie No.2.[5]

The lake is a popular resort area with local people for swimming, fishing and boat trips. The lakeside village of Amakom has a small hospital with a doctor residing on premise, called Lake Bosumtwi Methodist Clinic, providing emergency services by boat and 4x4 ambulance.

Panorama of Crater Lake Lake Bosumtwi (also spelled Bosomtwe) situated within an ancient meteorite impact crater, is approximately 8 kilometres (5.0 miles) across and the only natural lake in Ashanti. There is a plentiful supply of fish in Lake Bosumtwi, which is located just southeast of Kumasi.[19][20] There are about 30 villages (human settlements) near Crater Lake Lake Bosumtwi, with a combined population of about 70,000 Ashanti people. Lake Bosumtwi is an economic and popular resort area with Ashanti people for fishing, swimming and boating.

See also

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  • Lake Iro – another African lake suspected to be an impact crater

References

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  1. ^ a b "Bosumtwi". Earth Impact Database. Planetary and Space Science Centre University of New Brunswick Fredericton. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Bosumtwi". LakeNet. Archived from the original on November 28, 2003. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
  3. ^ "Visit Ghana - Lake Bosomtwe". Visit Ghana. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  4. ^ "Lake Bosomtwi". touringghana.com. 2016-03-27. Retrieved 2019-06-08.
  5. ^ a b c Adom, Dickson (2018-01-01). "The human impact and the aquatic biodiversity of lake Bosomtwe: rennaisance (sic) of the cultural traditions of Abono (Ghana)?". Transylvanian Review of Systematical and Ecological Research. 20 (1): 87–110. doi:10.1515/trser-2018-0007. ISSN 2344-3219.
  6. ^ Serwaa, Maame. "Why Ghana's Lake Bosomtwe Should Be on Your Travel Bucket List". Yo Chale. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  7. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Hemichromis frempongi". FishBase. February 2012 version.
  8. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Tilapia busumana". FishBase. February 2012 version.
  9. ^ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Tilapia discolor". FishBase. February 2012 version.
  10. ^ Losiak, Anna; Golebiowska, Izabela; Ferrière, Ludovic; Wojciechowski, Jacek; Huber, Matthew S.; Koeberl, Christian (2016-04-01). "WIP: A Web-based program for indexing planar features in quartz grains and its usage". Meteoritics & Planetary Science. 51 (4): 647–662. Bibcode:2016M&PS...51..647L. doi:10.1111/maps.12614. ISSN 1945-5100.
  11. ^ a b c Koeberl, C.; Milkereit, B.; Overpeck, J.T.; Scholz, C.A.; Amoako, P.Y.O.; Boamah, D.; Danuor, S.; Karp, T.; Kueck, J.; Hecky, R.E.; et al. (2007). "An international and multidisciplinary drilling project into a young complex impact structure: The 2004 ICDP Bosumtwi Crater Drilling Project—An overview". Meteoritics & Planetary Science. 42 (4–5): 483–511. Bibcode:2007M&PS...42..483K. doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.2007.tb01057.x. S2CID 6897812.
  12. ^ "Lake Bosumtwi". Wondermondo. 2013-02-09.
  13. ^ Artemieva, N.; Karp, T.; Milkereit, B.; et al. (2004). "Investigating the Lake Bosumtwi impact structure: Insight from numerical modeling". Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems. 5 (11): Q11016. Bibcode:2004GGG.....511016A. doi:10.1029/2004GC000733. S2CID 129665903.
  14. ^ Galiazzo, M. A.; Bazsó, Á.; Huber, M. S.; Losiak, A.; Dvorak, R.; Koeberl, C.; et al. (2013). "A statistical dynamical study of meteorite impactors: A case study based on parameters derived from the Bosumtwi impact event". Astronomische Nachrichten. 334 (9): 936–939. arXiv:1305.3631. Bibcode:2013AN....334..936G. doi:10.1002/asna.201211964. S2CID 118723115.
  15. ^ "Visit Ghana - Lake Bosomtwe". Visit Ghana. Retrieved 2025-04-27.
  16. ^ Pease, Roland (2004-10-12). "Drilling for Africa's climate history". BBC News. Retrieved 2018-04-02.
  17. ^ Shanahan et al. 2009
  18. ^ Shanahan, T. M.; Overpeck, J. T.; Anchukaitis, K. J.; Beck, J. W.; Cole, J. E.; Dettman, D. L.; Peck, J. A.; Scholz, C. A.; King, J. W. (April 17, 2009). "Atlantic Forcing of Persistent Drought in West Africa". Science. 324 (5925): 377–380. Bibcode:2009Sci...324..377S. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.366.1394. doi:10.1126/science.1166352. PMID 19372429. S2CID 2679216. Retrieved April 2, 2018.
  19. ^ "Ashanti Academic Showcase". nd.digication.com.
  20. ^ "Profitability Analysis of all-male Tilapia Farming in Sekyere South and Bosomtwe Districts of Ashanti Region". researchgate.net (PDF). Retrieved 1 August 2015.
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