Christian Agubretu, GNA
14 October 2002
Accra — Perhaps one of the greatest threats to the ecosystem and agriculture is the "Acheampong" weed known botanically as Chromolaena Odorata. It has added fuel to the annual ritual of bushfires this country has been experiencing for years. The bushfires before the weed invaded this country were not as sweeping and devastating as since the notorious weed found an abode in Ghana and changed the "vegetation".
The Name Acheampong
Ghana News Agency investigations in the Krobo areas of the Eastern Region revealed that they named the weed Acheampong because it sprung up after the forest was cleared for farming during the regime of Supreme Military Council, when General Kutu Acheampong, its Chairman ordered that the forest reserve in that area should be released for "Operation Feed Yourself" purposes.
Origin of Acheampong
Botanists trace the Acheampong weed to the Volta River Authority (VRA), which allegedly imported it into the country and planted it under the power lines for easy clearing. The weed, which might have been tender in temperate regions, grew tough and robust in the tropical region of Ghana. Wherever the weed might have come from the fact remains that it was unknown in Ghana before the 70s.
Since the Acheampong weed appeared the country in the 70s it has spread very fast and destroyed large tracts of land and contributed in no small way to the 1982 and 1983 bushfires that brought this country to her knees.
The bushfires led to severe famine, which according to an octogenarian had not been seen in the country during his lifetime.
Professor Dominic Fobih, Minister of Environment and Science at the opening of a recent workshop on "Invasive Alien Species in Africa" said: "The effect of the notorious Chromolaena Odorata nicknamed 'Acheampong' is
very vivid on our minds.
"Soon after its introduction into the country in the early 1970s 'Acheampong' spread rapidly, colonising and voraciously eliminating established plant communities in all the agro-ecological zones. We are also very much aware of how 'Acheampong' by virtue of its nature, served as the fuel for the bushfires that devastated most parts of the country in 1983."
Acheampong and Bush Fires
The recognition of the danger is not enough since Acheampong continues to be a major contributor to the annual devastating bushfires. It is highly combustible. Its woollen flowers are highly inflammable and easily blown by the wind.
Its semi-dry stem is a fuel in itself. It is a creeping and sprawling plant and engulfs and encompasses other tree species, tall or short; and when fire gets into it burns and kills the trees especially in the forest zones that are not fire resistant like those of the savannah areas.
Trees that die after bushfires eventually dry up and become combustible material during the next dry season and so the cycle continues.
Before the advent of Acheampong weed, the country witnessed annual bushfires but after the weed invaded the country the bushfires became more destructive.
The weed has invaded the banks of streams, rivers and other water bodies and covered mountains, cocoa farms and even virgin forests.
Forests that never experienced bushfires in the past are now susceptible to the menace by courtesy of Acheampong weed.
The weed forms a thicket canopy and provides a sanctuary for animals. But when it burns, it burns so thoroughly that the animals have no place to hide.
The weed is now found in the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Volta and Eastern Regions and it is now marching militantly on to the northern regions to destroy the savannah and the fire resistant shea trees and other species there.
Some farmers claim that maize does well in the areas that the weed is found. But of what use would it be if after providing nutrients for the maize, Acheampong become the fuel to burn large tracts of maize farms?
Acheampong inhibits cultivation of staples
Acheampong does not allow major staples like cocoyam, plantain and sometimes cassava to do well on lands previously cropped with maize. The weed colonises the old farm at an alarming growth rate thus killing the crops.
Professor Fobih said: "The concern is not just the introduction of alien species but rather the effects these introductions tend to have on our ecosystems and biological diversity."
It would not be far fetched to say that Acheampong weed is laying siege to this country. If it were an invading army, the armed forces would have been mobilised to fight and repulse the attack; if it were an epidemic, nurses and the doctors would be at hand; if it were disaster or political upheaval, the media would have been talking about it endlessly. The country is faced with imminent catastrophe and perhaps it was this realisation that caused the Ministry of Environment and Science to organise a workshop in September and to sound the alarm bells.
The media should pick up the refrain: "Acheampong weed is a threat to the environment and agriculture."
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