Lake Bosumtwi

Lake Bosomtwe is the only natural lake in Ghana. It is situated within an ancient impact crater that is about in diameter. It is about 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. The most popular amongst the villages where tourists usually settle is Abono.

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''.

Impact crater

The Lake Bosomtwe impact crater is in diameter, slightly larger than the present lake which is approximately across, and is estimated to be 1.07 million years old (Pleistocene period).

The depth of crater is approximately , but, if counted together with the depth of lake sediments - .

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. 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.

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

History of Bosomtwe

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."

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

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.

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.

See also

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

References

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External links

Lake Bosomtwe Ecotourism Map and Guide (notice: "Bosomtwe" is the correct spelling according to Kumasi University)


Lake Bosomtwe Drilling Project

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bosumtwi
Ancient lakes
Ashanti Region
Impact crater lakes
Lakes of Ghana
Impact craters of Ghana
Pleistocene impact craters
Sacred lakes
Tourist attractions in Ghana