"Years back when certain cultural believes were upheld, people were for instance banned from some water bodies on certain days or during specific periods, and this naturally helped to protect these bodies and the environment as a whole," she recalled.

Prof. Andam said this in Accra on Tuesday at a programme, which formed part of activities to mark the Founders Week Celebration of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Science (GAAS).

The GAAS president, who spoke on the theme: "Managing National Water Resources for Future Survival,” said, it was easily possible to stop the pollution of the country's water bodies through basic rules and measures.

 "Enforcing rules that ensure that no one throws any form of waste into our water bodies, will prevent them from getting polluted," she said.  The occasion also saw the induction of three new members into the GAAS. They are Dr. Dwomoa Adu, Honorary Consultant Neurologist, Korlebu Teaching Hospital, Professor Helen Yitah, Associate Professor, Department of English, University of Ghana-Legon, and Professor Bill Buenar Puplampu, Vice Chancellor, Central University, Miotso.

Prof. Andam, administered the induction and advised the newly inducted members to strive and live up to the demands of their calling. "You should be friends with each other but above all, your aim should be to help Ghana progress, which is the key focus of the GAAS," she said.

Other activities to be held in commemoration of the celebration are a symposium on water resources policy 2018 to 2063, a symposium on women and trans-boundary issues in water resource management, and a Kwame Nkrumah Memorial lecture.

The Academy's Anniversary programme is the oldest of its traditions.It started in November 1960 as the first Academy celebration, and in November every year since then, the Academy has celebrated the anniversary.