Ghana’s Volta Lake, a sprawling 8,500 square kilometre expanse of water, holds a secret beneath its surface: a vast underwater treasure trove waiting to be unlocked.
Created in 1965 by the construction of the Akosombo Dam, the lake submerged a significant portion of the Volta River Basin, including massive tropical hardwood trees, a rich mineral deposit, and valuable organic matter. Harnessing these submerged resources presents a significant economic opportunity for Ghana, potentially boosting multiple industries and revolutionising transportation.
The lakebed itself is a repository of high-quality sand, surpassing the quality of surface sand and ideal for the construction industry. This readily available resource can significantly reduce reliance on external sand sources, bolstering the construction sector and creating jobs.
But the sand is only the beginning. The lakebed is remarkably rich in minerals, particularly gold. Each year, an estimated 146,000 tons of mineral matter, including gold from rivers like the Black Volta, flow into the lake, hinting at the potentially vast reserves lying beneath the sediment. Extracting these minerals could significantly enhance Ghana’s mining industry.
Beyond minerals and sand, the lakebed also contains abundant organic matter suitable for agricultural use. This could provide a valuable resource for enriching soils and boosting agricultural productivity.
However, perhaps the most remarkable discovery lies in the submerged forest itself thousands of large tropical hardwoods, comparable in density to oak (650-900 kg/m³) and similar in strength to steel, lie preserved beneath the water.
The unique anaerobic conditions – the lack of oxygen and the acidic nature of the peat bogs – have prevented the decay of these ancient trees, resulting in a remarkable fossilisation process that enhances their strength and durability.
The economic implications of recovering this underwater timber are significant. Ghana’s timber industry could experience a revitalisation, providing a valuable, high-quality resource for both domestic and international markets. The unique properties of the fossilised wood offer possibilities in specialised applications requiring exceptional strength and durability.
The potential benefits extend beyond individual industries. The removal of submerged tree stumps and the desilting of the lakebed are crucial for improving navigation across the Volta Lake.
Currently, navigation between Akosombo and Buipe in the north is hampered, hindering efficient transportation. Clearing the lakebed would facilitate year-round navigation, significantly impacting the movement of goods across the country.
This would unlock considerable advantages in transporting petroleum products from the south to the north, freeing up road space, reducing transport costs, and improving accessibility to fuel in northern regions. The improved navigation would also streamline the movement of building materials like cement and iron rods from Akosombo northward, and agricultural produce such as cattle, yam, onions, and cereals from the north to the south.
In conclusion, the Volta Lake holds a vast untapped potential. The extraction of its submerged resources – sand, minerals, organic matter, and fossilised timber – presents a significant economic opportunity for Ghana.
This undertaking would not only generate revenue and create jobs but also significantly improve the country’s infrastructure and transportation networks. Developing a sustainable and environmentally responsible plan for accessing these resources is key to unlocking the full potential of this submerged treasures and transforming Ghana’s economy.
Please enjoy _What A Wonderful World_ by Louis Armstrong.
Anthony Obeng Afrane
