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A bird Sanctuary located near Kumasi. It protects
the catchment area of one of the dams use for water
supply to the Kumasi metropolis. Until the construction
of the Barekese Dam in 1971, Owabi was the only
source of water to Kumasi. Owabi Wildlife Sanctuary
is the smallest of 4 Wildlife Protected areas in
Ghana. It is 13km² in size, and lies approximately
23km northwest of Kumasi. It has an inner Sanctuary
of about 7km, which surrounds a lake, formed by
the damming of the Owabi River in 1928.
A plantation of an exotic species, Cassia siamea,
covers about 10% of the area. The rest consist of
secondary vegetation and small areas of riverine
forest and aquatic vegetation.
One hundred and ninety nine species
of vascular plants been identified. These include
91 tree, 19 shrub, 40 herb, 14 grass, 1 parasite,
6 ferns, and 29 climber species.
The avifauna is relatively rich
with indigenous birds and some migrants. 161 birds
consisting of 29 families have been recorded, 13
of which are listed in Appendix II of the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Sanctuary is also
the only inland Ramsar Site in
Ghana.
The scenic appeal of the Sanctuary, the potential
for picnicking and bird
watching, the chances to observe
monkeys in the forest, the potential for
boating and recreational fishing
give the reserve a distinct touristic value. The
Sanctuary again provides an excellent facility for
educational tours and ecological
studies off-stagging from Kumasi Zoo with its commendable
animals collection where informed guided tours are
provided by the trained staff. From Kumasi Zoo,
one can continue to Owabi to enjoy a guided walk
through the Sanctuary, and possibly to Owhim to
see the interesting bead industry. When at Owabi
the guided tour can include a visit
to the waterworks where the station officer will
be only too happy to conduct people around the treatment
plant, to show them the water treatment process.
From Kumasi one can get to Owabi by using the Kumasi-Sunyani
road branching off at Akropong junction.
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