Accra, March 4, GNA - The Water Resources Commission (WRC) on Thursday inaugurated a 12-member Weija Lake Protection Association (WLPA) to protect the catchment area of the water resource and prevent activities that threatened its survival.

The WLPA would in addition, help to eradicate all unapproved and unauthorised fishing methods, which cause pollution and thereby increase the cost of water treatment for the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL). It will team up with the Ga South Municipal Assembly, WRC, a state agency responsible for water resources management, Environmental Protection Agency, the Police and other stakeholders to tackle the challenges confronting the lake.

Mr Sheriff Nii Oto Dodoo, Municipal Chief Executive who inaugurated the association at Weija near Accra, pledged the assembly's commitment to resource the body to effectively monitor activities on the lake and save it from being mismanaged.

Members of WLPA and the participants mostly fishermen from the area, have been trained on measures to protect the lake. The Weija Lake, which is about three miles square, stretching upstream from Koforidua to Weija Dam site near Accra, provides the Greater Accra Region and parts of the Central Region with potable water and also serves as a source of livelihood for people who live around it. But activities of settlers such as quarrying, sand winning, encroachment, illegal fishing methods and farming are threatening the lake's long term survival. However, Mr Dodoo said with the inauguration of WLPA, all the negative activities would stop and the health of the lake promoted to improve water supply to the communities. He called on the residents to collaborate with the WLPA and other stakeholders to ensure that the members achieve the objectives set for them.

Mr Ben Amponsah, Acting Executive Secretary of WRC, urged members to discharge their duties without fear or favour. He assured the association that WRC would provide all the necessary logistics to ensure efficient and effective operations. Mr Paul Senahia, Chairman of WLPA, called on WRC to provide the association with a patrol boat, water pumps, spraying machines, seedlings and pesticides, to help prevent the deforestation and pollution of the lake. Mr Senahia who is also a Laboratory Technician at the GWCL Weija Treatment Plant site, called for an insurance cover for members of the association to motivate them to remain committed to working to save the lake. 4 March 10