The Pest and Insect Infestation Committee of National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has unveiled a new chemical receptive to aquatic life to help eradicate the worms that have invaded some communities in the Volta Region.
Some of the affected communities include Blemazado, Agorgbledokui, Hatorgodo, Atiavi, Lawoshime, Nagodzi and Lodzogbi.
Mr P.K. Abonie, Deputy National Co-ordinator of NADMO, made this known to the Ghana News Agency in an interview on Tuesday, after an emergency meeting in Accra.
He said with the assistance of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) Nim Oil had been identified as an effective and environmentally friendly chemical to replace Dipel which was previously used to eradicate the worms.
We are using the new chemical to replace the previous one which is not suitable for aquatic life,he added.
Mr Abonie said a team of experts would be dispatched on Wednesday, January
19, to review the situation and undertake trials with the new chemical before intensified spraying would begin.
He said samples of the worms would be taken for further examination.
The first invasion of the worms occurred in 2004.
Mr Abonie said efforts were being taken to prevent deaths and bring relief to the people.
He said appropriate public organisations such as the Plant Protection Unit of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and GAF were assisting NADMO to deal with the invasion.
The invading caterpillar kind of worm is said not to bite but has temporarily deprived some people, mostly peasant farmers and fishermen of their livelihoods.
They are locked up in their homes to prevent encounter with the worms that do not bite but makes the body to itch when in close contact.
The worm invasion was detected about a week ago.