The Ashanti regional office of the Ghana Tourist Board has initiated programmes to increase the attraction of investors and tourists to the only natural inland lake in Ghana. The Abono Declaration of 1999 identified the Lake Bosomtwe as an eco-tourism zone, but plans to develop the basin have not been carried through successfully. Today, Lake Bosomtwe, situated within an ancient meteorite impact crater, is acclaimed the ‘sea of Ashanti’. Located about 30km south-east of Kumasi, the area has become a major recreational destination for holiday-makers in the Ashanti region and other parts of the country. In a bid to develop facilities in the area, the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council is collaborating with the Tourist Board to commission a socio-economic survey as a step to develop a land-use plan for the enclave. Regional Manager of the Tourist Board, Ekow Sampson has told Luv Biz Report the project is aimed at attracting investors to improve the livelihood of local communities. “We are also thinking of structural plans that will involve the areas around and I’m sure that in the next two to three years investors that will be coming in will be ready to say let me put this thing here or there”, he said. Meanwhile, the Tourist Board is collaborating with the Bosomtwe District Assembly, Platinum Point and the Multimedia Group to institute an annual Lake Bosomtwe Party. The maiden event is scheduled for July 1, 2011 and activities will include musical concert, Lake Cruise, horse riding, hiking and cultural display. According to Mr. Sampson, the programme will boost the economic and tourism potentials of the area and enhance the image of the Ashanti region as a leading cultural destination in Ghana. Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh/Luv Fm/Ghana