As part of the effort by government to ascertain the effect of the bird flu on some poultry farms in the Greater Accra region, some officials of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Veterinary Service Department and the Ghana Poultry Project have embarked on a study tour to have first-hand information on the loss of birds.
The visit seeks to access the plight of the poultry farmers and the measures to put in place to support them in terms of resources and funding to revamp their poultry businesses.
Speaking to the media shortly after the visit at Nungua,Lashibi and Klagon, the Acting Director of Veterinary Services Department, Dr. Patrick Abakeh appealed to farmers to engage the department if they discover symptoms of the disease on the birds and explained that officers will visit their respect farms for inspection and the necessary action will be taken.
He explained that the officers will depopulate the farm to curb the spread of the disease to other farms in the community adding further that 14 other farms have so far been affected by the bird flu.
Dr Abakeh said some farm owners have almost lost all their birds as a result of the disease while others infected were killed through special designed chemicals to avoid further contact.
For his part, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture in Charge of livestock and Member of Parliament (MP) of Nanton, HardiTufeiru assured farmers of support through the Poultry Farmers Association.
He said farm owners will be sensitized in applying the right chemicals on their birds when there is an outbreak of bird flu hence training programmes will be periodically held to build their capacity in that regard.
In an address, the Technical Team Lead of the Ghana Poultry Project, Mr. Raymond Denteh urged farm owners to observe the bio safety protocols adding that it is a healthy way of protecting the birds and also falls in line with international best practices.
“Affected farms will be depopulated and the necessary technical advice will be applied to owners to curb and contain the spread of the disease”, he said.
The Municipal Director of Agriculture of Ledzokuku, Madam Gifty Andoh advised poultry farmers to liaise with officials at her outfit for periodic monitoring on birds and livestockas well asinspect the farms and its surroundings.
Victor OppongAdjei, Chairman of the Poultry Farmers Association of Ghana said frantic efforts have been put in place to stop the disease from spreading as preparations are far advancedto support affected farmers.
By Ben Laryea, African Eye Report
