Lake Volta

Lake Volta

Located behind the Akosombo Dam, which generates a significant portion of Ghana's electricity, Lake Volta is the largest artificial reservoir in the world by surface area. It has a surface area of 8,502 square kilometers and is located completely in Ghana. It stretches from Akosombo to Ghana's north. There are several islands in the lake, the main ones being Dodi, Dwarf and Kporve. Part of the western shore of the lake is the Digya National Park. This park is the second biggest national park and Ghana's oldest protected area. The park was established in 1900 as a protected area, the first of its kind in Ghana. It was purchased by the government and declared a national park in 1971. At the time of the government's acquisition of the park, there were human settlements in the park and the majority of the residents were fishermen and farmers. By 2006, the number of settlements had reached 49, and the Ghanaian government began removing settlement dwellers from the park. A patrol-based system to curb illegal activities was established in the park in early 2005. The park is situated on a lowland peninsula, it has undulating terrain and is in a transitional area between forest and savannah. It hosts at least six species of primates as well as elephants, which are among the least studied species in Africa. The park's elephant population is Ghana's second largest. The park also has several species of antelope. The arms of Lake Volta that extend into the Digya National Park are also home to manatees and African Clawless Otters. Additionally, the park is home to more than 236 species of birds.