Lake Volta, Artificial lake in central Ghana.
Lake Volta is an artificial reservoir in Ghana covering large parts of the central and eastern interior, stretching from near the coast up into northern regions. The water fills valleys and former riverbeds, creating a branching waterway with countless inlets and forested shorelines.
The reservoir formed in the 1960s following the construction of a hydroelectric dam, flooding numerous settlements and requiring their inhabitants to relocate. The dammed river transformed wide river valleys into a continuous body of water, altering the landscape and how people live permanently.
Fishers work along the shores with nets and small boats, often organized in groups that share the catch together. Many lakeside villages follow rhythms shaped by annual rainfall and the rise and fall of the water level.
Travelers exploring the area can use public ferries that run regularly between different lakeside settlements, offering glimpses into daily life along the water. The best time to visit falls outside the heaviest rainy months, when the water level is more stable and connections run more reliably.
The prime meridian crosses the water at several points, placing some shoreline settlements in a special geographic position. Travelers can experience the passage between the western and eastern hemispheres directly at these spots and take photos along the symbolically meaningful line.
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