Accra, Nov 4 GNA - The Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS) on Tuesday called on the government to as a matter of urgency declare lakes and rivers infested with water hyacinth disaster zones. The Academy also urged the authorities to establish a Water Hyacinth Task Force with members draw from the Volta River Authority (VRA), Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to ensure the clearing of the weeds that grow on water bodies.

Dr. Letitia E. Obeng, a Fellow of the Academy and Former Director of the United Nations Environmental Programme, African Regional Office made the appealed.

She was presenting a paper on the topic: Water: "Crisis in development" at the British Council Hall in Accra, as part of this year's annual lecture of the sciences organised by the GAAS. Dr Obeng said water hyacinth has been acknowledged as the most dangerous floating aquatic plant in the world, which could be rooted in muddy bottoms.

She said the plant had a stupendous capacity and the growth rate was highest compared to any aquatic or terrestrial plant. Dr Obeng stated that two water hyacinth plants could produce 1200 plants in four months and has been estimated that an acre might contain 650,000 plants with a weight of 200tons.

She said throughout the world, the plant had covered hundreds of lakes and ponds from shore to shore.

Dr Obeng called on all and sundry to collaborate efforts in removing the weeds from water bodies since they pose a threat to the environment.

She urged government to collaborate with district and regional organs and non-governmental organisations to mobilise the people in water hyacinth infested communities to support programmes aimed at solving the problem.

Dr Obeng asked the government to appreciate long-term multi-displinary research, monitoring and surveillance on the lake and other water bodies.

She called on government to ensure that the CSIR played a central role in programmes aimed at eradicating water hyacinth. Dr Obeng also appealed to government to ensure that CSIR engaged the services of specialists if given the responsibility to fight against water hyacinth. 5 Nov. 03