Brown seaweeds are poisonous — WRI
Brown seaweeds used by farmers as manure for the cultivation of vegetables and other crops in some parts of the Western Region have been identified as poisonous.
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A research conducted by the Water Research Institute (WRI) of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), found that the practice had a number of negative health implications on human life and, therefore, ought to be stopped.
The research further indicated that the influx of seaweeds along the inshore coastal waters and beaches had greatly affected aquatic life.
"The influx has negatively impacted on biodiversity, tourism and the livelihood of coastal communities, especially the fisher folk, whose lives depended on fishing activities," the research said.
The research project was commissioned by Lukoil Overseas Ghana Limited (LUKOIL), a foreign oil company, under the supervision of the Petroleum Commission (PC).
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The research was designed to identify peculiar challenges facing frontline communities in the oil production areas within the Western Region.
Seaweeds have become a common occurrence along many beaches in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.
The weeds were first identified in the Western Region in 2009 and thereafter, were seen from January and October 2012 and from January to June 2014.
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Its spread has increased in recent times, according to the research and was evident in the Jomoro, Ahanta West and Nzema East districts in the Western Region and in parts of the Central, Greater Accra and Volta regions.
The research also warned against indiscriminate waste disposal from oil and mining activities into river bodies, as well as the high shipping traffic within the Western Region.
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