A Rocha Ghana raises alarm over destruction in Lake Bosomtwe catchment area

A Rocha Ghana has called for urgent intervention over what it describes as ongoing destructive activities within the catchment area of Lake Bosomtwe in the Ashanti Region.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, the environmental group said information received from residents of Abrodwum points to extensive land clearing within key parts of the lake’s protected core zone.

According to the organisation, similar incidents have been reported in neighbouring communities such as Adwafo and Abaase, with fears that the destruction could spread further towards Abono. The persons or groups behind the activities have not yet been identified.

A Rocha Ghana described the development as troubling, particularly because Abrodwum is home to the revered Abrodwum Stone, regarded as the spiritual centre of the lake and an important symbol in Asante cultural and ceremonial traditions.

The group warned that damage to the area threatens not only the environment but also an important aspect of Ghana’s cultural heritage.

It therefore called for the immediate suspension of all destructive operations in the affected communities, a full-scale investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible, and urgent restoration measures to safeguard the lake’s core zone.

“The preservation of Lake Bosomtwe is not optional. It is essential. Protecting this natural, cultural and economic treasure is a responsibility that must be upheld without delay,” the statement said.

The organisation further cautioned that continued clearing in the core zone, considered the most ecologically sensitive section of the lake, could result in irreversible environmental consequences.

It also pointed to existing challenges facing the area, including shoreline recession, dwindling fish stocks, and the effects of illegal mining in surrounding communities.

A Rocha Ghana urged state institutions and local authorities to intensify enforcement of environmental laws and by-laws protecting the lake.

Lake Bosomtwe is Ghana’s only natural lake and one of the few meteoric lakes in the world. It was designated a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in 2016 and supports biodiversity as well as the livelihoods of more than 70,000 people living in nearly 30 surrounding communities.

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