Significance of Lake Bosomtwe as a freshwater resource in Ghana; communities’ perception

2017

English

The research seeks to find out the significance of freshwater and its sustainability in a given community, using Lake Bosomtwe as a case study. Most initial settlements were formed along water-bodies since freshwater helps to nourish and sustain life. Humans, however, have taken its abundance for granted. This is seen in the deterioration of water bodies near communities and the lack of access to clean water supply in these communities. This is a common feature in more than half of Africa's settlements especially Sub-Saharan Africa and specifically Ghana. Studies show that the measure one puts on the freshwater and the services the resource provides determines how it is used or protected. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 170 respondents (men and women) from the two districts in the Bosomtwe and Bosome-Freho Districts in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, bordering the Lake Bosomtwe. Primary data was generated through the administration of structured and semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and ranking methods were used to achieve objectives. The major findings indicate that the lake is a major source of protein and livelihood. Economic activities are having a great impact on the lake in terms of pollution and sedimentation on the Lake. Spiritual importance of the Lake has dwindled over time and the materialisation of the lake has become an important measure which is causing its possible extinction. Findings indicated only 39.8 percent of respondents rated religious issues as very important, with 84.5 percent rating economic issues as very important and 80.7 percent rating social issues as very important thus giving more prominence to the economic value of the lake resources.

Amu-Mensah, M. A.; Amu-Mensah, F. A.; Akrong, M. O.; Darko, H.; Addico, G.