Pesticides pollute Akomadan

Offinso (Ashanti Region), 21 July '99,

The Water Research Institute (WRI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has said the wrong use of pesticides was destroying foodcrops, the environment and human beings in Akomadan and its environs in the Offinso district.

These findings were based on a CSIR research.

Mr William Joseph Ntow, Scientific Officer of WRI, made this known at a day's training of trainers workshop on "Safe pesticides management" for 42 participants selected from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA),the Ministry of Health, Offinso District Assembly and other related organisations in the district.

Jointly organised by the CSIR and the Offinso District Assembly, the workshop discussed topics like classification of pesticides, effective use of pesticides, integrated pest management, prevention of accidents, recognition of poisoning and management of poisoning.

Mr Ntow said the research was in response to allegations of impotency, high youth mortality and other environmental problems prevalent in the Akomadan area.

The study revealed that a wide range of pesticides was used in tomato production while its application was not regulated.