Accra, Nov. 9, GNA - The removal of aquatic weeds from the Lower Volta Basin is expected to begin by the middle of next year. Mr. Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Environment, told Parliament on Friday that procurement of equipment for the manual removal of weeds has been initiated.

The Minister was responding to questions from Mr. David Tetteh Assumeng, NDC-Shai Osudoku, on when removal of aquatic weeds from the Volta River would begin.

"Mr Speaker, aquatic weeds infestations have become a nuisance affecting many West African countries."

"Due to the serious adverse impact of the weeds on the socio-economic activities and livelihood of the affected communities, ECOWAS approached the African Development Bank for funds to regionally control aquatic weeds in the five most affected shared water bodies," the Minister said.

He said funds have been made available to seven ECOWAS member states and Mauritania, adding that in Ghana the project is being implemented over a period of five years beginning from 2006 to 2011 in the Tano and Volta rivers.

He said seven areas are involved in the project, namely, the North and South Tongu districts in the Volta Region and Asuogyaman and Manya Krobo districts in the Eastern Region.

He said the Dangbe East and West districts in the Greater Accra Region and Jomoro districts are also part of the project.

"I am glad to say that reconnaissance survey to assess the status of weeds coverage for the project intervention has been undertaken in the seven districts.

In response to another question, the Minister said the district assemblies have no mandate to account directly to Parliament on the use of the statutory financial allocations made out of the District Assemblies Common Fund.

He said district assemblies do account to the District Assemblies Common Fund office through the submission of monthly cash returns. The Minister was responding to a question on systems put in place to oblige the district assemblies to account to Parliament the disbursement of statutory financial allocation involving the Poverty Alleviation fund, the District Education fund and the District Response Initiative on HIV/AIDS.