Accra: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a stern warning against the potting of water hyacinth, citing its detrimental effects on Ghana's freshwater ecosystems. The announcement was made by Mrs. Jewel Kudjawu, Director of the Inter-sectoral Network Department at the EPA, during a public awareness campaign targeting horticulturists in Accra.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs. Kudjawu explained that the water hyacinth, scientifically known as Eichhornia crassipes, is an invasive species in Ghana with no natural predators to control its spread. The plant's ability to produce seeds that can remain dormant in river sediments for up to 20 years poses a significant challenge to eradication efforts. She emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing this issue and urged the public to refrain from planting, potting, or propagating water hyacinth.
Water hyacinth is characterized by its floating purple blooms and bulbous leaf stalks, thriving in nutrient-rich water where it can double in mass in under two weeks. It forms dense mats that hinder sunlight penetration, disrupt oxygen transfer, and suffocate aquatic life. The invasive plant is increasingly clogging rivers, degrading water quality, obstructing transport routes, and threatening biodiversity, particularly in southern and middle Ghana.
Madam Helina S. Dodd, Principal Programme Officer at the EPA's Natural Resources Department, advised against reintroducing the plant into waterways and recommended drying and burning harvested plants to prevent re-growth. She highlighted the plight of fishing communities along the Volta Lake, River Tano, and parts of the Oti River, where the plant is affecting fishing and boat travel.
Madam Dodd also pointed out that the spread of water hyacinth is exacerbated by climate change, poor waste management, and fertiliser runoff, which enrich water bodies and accelerate the plant's growth. She described water hyacinth as an "ecological time bomb," stressing the need for comprehensive measures to tackle the threat it poses.
Mr. Isaac Billions, a horticulturist, expressed gratitude to the EPA and assured that efforts would be made to discourage members from potting water hyacinth. In response to the issue, Ghana currently relies on manual removal and occasional herbicide spraying, though these methods are costly and provide only temporary relief.
The EPA, in collaboration with the Water Resources Commission, is advocating for increased investment in research, early detection systems, and biological control options to develop long-term solutions for managing water hyacinth infestations.