A framework for the establishment of an interpretive center at the Lake Bosumtwi Impact Crater, Ghana: a hub for geoscience education and social geosciences

Abstract

The Lake Bosumtwi Impact Crater in Ghana, approximately 1.07 million years old and designated as an IUGS Geological Heritage Site, holds significant geological, educational, cultural, aesthetic, and economic importance. Historically, its potential for education and community involvement has been underutilized. This study developed a framework for creating an interpretive center for the Lake Bosumtwi Impact Crater by conducting a systematic literature review and comparative analysis of Geopark Ries (Germany), Vredefort Dome (South Africa), and Ngorongoro Conservation Area (Tanzania), along with local knowledge gathered through field visits. Our framework offers a model that combines geoethics, geoscience education, and social geosciences. It is built on three pillars: 1) immersive geoscience education to improve public geoliteracy; 2) implementing geoethics through community-led governance and ethical geotourism; and 3) advancing social geoscience through participatory research and sustainable local initiatives. We conclude that this integrated approach can transform the Lake Bosumtwi Impact Crater from a site focused on scientific research to a hub for inclusive knowledge sharing and sustainable development. It can also serve as a replicable model for connecting geological heritage with community well-being and addressing issues of geoscientific marginalization.