Yankah bans swimming in Lake Bosomtwe

Abono (Ash), June 10, GNA--Mr Kojo Yankah, Ashanti Regional Minister has placed a temporary ban on swimming in the Lake Bosomtwe.

This follows the numerous incidents of drowning of holiday-makers during "Meet-me there" and other entertainment programmes organised in the lake basin.

He directed that no swimming should be allowed from now till after the tourism development conference scheduled in the area from June 17 to 18.

Mr Yankah was addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Abono as part of his tour of the Bosomtwe-Atwima-Kwanwoma district on Tuesday.

The Regional Minister asked chiefs along Lake Bosomtwe to abide by the directive and to ensure that visitors do not rpt not contravene it.

He said unless frantic efforts are made to stem the spate of drowning in the lake, it will thwart the efforts of the Regional Co-ordinating Council, the district assembly and even the communities themselves from attracting tourists and investors into the lake basin.

He expected that during the tourism development conference,"various avenues will be explored to develop the lake basin".

Meanwhile, a task force would be set up to supervise and regulate activities along the lake basin to guarantee the safety of all tourists and visitors.

Mr Yankah announced that in line with the development of the lake basin, abandoned estate houses constructed by the government for inhabitants of Abono, "will be transferred to the district assembly".

Mr Yankah said the government was making efforts to acquire all lands within 100 yards from the lake for the promotion of tourism in the lake basin.

The Regional Minister stressed that the assembly would discuss the issue of acquisition of the land and the abandoned estate houses and that in all cases, compensation would be paid owners of the land.

Mr I.K. Nyame, the District Chief Executive, reacting to complaints about stray animals destroying trees planted along the lake basin, asked the chiefs and people to "arrest" such animals to the assembly for action.

He said the assembly was concerned with environmental protection at the lake basin and will therefore not allow a few people to undermine tree-planting programmes along the basin.

Nana Otuo Antwi-Boasiako II, Abonohene, commended the government for embarking on a number of development projects in Abono and assured the government of the co-operation of the chiefs and people in its programme to develop the lake basin.

The Regional Minister had earlier paid a courtesy call on Barima Adu Gyamfi Poku II, Omanhene of Kuntanase and Obrempon Acheampong Brano II, chief of Ampabame Number One.

Mr Yankah also inspected development projects being executed in the district.

They comprised a restaurant, a conference hall and guest house at Kokwado, a semi-detached bungalow at the Jachie-Pramso secondary school and a market at Trabuom.