Professor of Physics at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Prof. Sylvester Kojo Danuor, has suggested the creation of a meteorite cultural center at the Bosomtwe Lake.
He made his proposition at his inaugural lecture which was held on the 22nd of June, 2023 at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences auditorium. The event was chaired by Emerita Professor Issabella Akyinbah Quakyi under the theme: “Significance of Terrestrial Impact structures; a case study of the Lake Bosomtwe Impact Crater, Ghana.”
He had been sharing the outcome of his research which revolved around the impact of a crater resulting in Lake Bosomtwe in the Ashanti Region.
Considering the influence of his research, he made the proposal while noting the advantages it poses to the tourism industry in the Kuntunase Area where Lake Bosumtwe is located.
“To promote tourism, I’ll propose the establishment of the Lake Bosomtwe Meteorite Community Cultural Centre. The indicator has given multiple scientific research interests by various research groups and agencies growing interests to develop the scientific aspect of the crater together with the cultural and historical aspects to promote it.”
He spoke on what activities the cultural center could entail to benefit the indigenes of the area.
“The center will contain the cultural and historical aspects of the indigenous people as well as the scientific aspects of the crater. Students will be taken through some lectures, documentaries and exhibitions before going on on-site visits. The indigenous people will be trained as tour guides so that they can educate others. This means it will be envisaged such that it will provide opportunities for the people in the community.”
Prof. Danuor also emphasized on the need for local communities to eschew some superstitious beliefs that keep them from exploring nature. He made his suggestion following how his research broke some myths surrounding the lake.
“After the research, those in the community were happy because hitherto the research, there was a superstitious belief that you cannot go to some of the places and one cannot move across the lake and many other beliefs but after following us in all the processes the people were happy and confident and could do all that they couldn’t do at first. Science is no respecter of superstition, if you want to do something, do it and explore nature. The work of science is about precision and facts so we have to be open-minded and research,” he said.
At the event, some students from Ghanata Senior High School shared the lessons they learnt from the lecture with UniversNews.
“I have learnt today that meteors are very dangerous and that it can hit us at any time so we need to prepare and warn ourselves before it happens because it even caused the extinction of the dinosaurs so it’s very dangerous.”
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Story by | Esther Esenam Ofori | univers.ug.edu.gh
