Sefwi wiawso: The Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Assembly has completed an initial insecticide spraying exercise to control an invasion of centipede-like insects in three farming communities in the North Western Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the exercise followed reports from residents of Fawoman, Nyiitana, and Kuroafu, communities with an estimated population of 1,600, of the insects invading homes and public spaces and causing discomfort. Mr. Dominic Gyase Gyasi, the Municipal Chief Executive of Sefwi Wiawso, mentioned that authorities were assessing the situation and preparing further interventions. "I am visiting the affected communities to have first-hand information and we will proceed with the next action. This is the second time in three years the communities are experiencing such invasion," he said.
The incident began on Monday, May 11, 2026, and was reported to the Assembly and the Municipal Directorate of Agriculture the following day after residents observed large numbers of the insects emerging from nearby bushes and forest areas. Authorities said the insects were believed to belong to the centipede family, although samples had been taken for laboratory examination and further identification.
Mr. Gyasi stated that the Assembly had spent about GHS18,000 on the spraying exercise, which included the purchase of pesticides, personal protective equipment, and operational logistics. Mr. Joseph Sedode, Director of the Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate, indicated that while the insects were not destroying crops or plants, their presence in homes and public places was creating discomfort for residents. He mentioned that the insects were not considered an invasive species, although their exact identity had yet to be determined, adding that samples had already been collected for examination.
Authorities opted for household-safe chemicals due to the insects spreading into residential areas. "Normal insecticide can be used to control them, but because this one is within a household area, used chemicals that are safe for public use," he said. Dr. Maxwell K. Billah of the Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science at the University of Ghana suggested that the invasion could be linked to environmental stressors or the impact of climate change, including rising temperatures.