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.
Activities
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.
Access
From Kumasi one can get to Owabi by using the Kumasi-Sunyani road branching off at Akropong junction.