The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr. Owusu Akoto Afriyie has assured the country that the Veterinary Service Department under his ministry is doing its best to handle the disturbing bird flu situation which has hit the country.
According to Dr. Akoto, the Veterinary Service Department is working tirelessly to ensure that the virus does not spread to other parts of the country.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Sunday, the Minister said "The Veterinary Services Department was doing its best to handle the situation. The veterinary services, although with very inadequate staff, are doing everything possible to contain the disease" and make sure that it doesn’t spread any further.
The Minister also revealed that about 110,00 birds have been affected by the bird flu.
He also added his men are keeping a closer look at the Greater Accra, Central, Ashanti, Western North, and Volta Regions since they are the hotspots of the virus.
Dr. Akoto also told Journalists that his Ministry has petitioned Cabinet to compensate farmers who have been affected.
"Farmers are looking for compensation, and we are doing a very urgent request to Cabinet to meet that requirement,” he said.
It will be recalled that the leadership of the Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association shared their grief and called for compensation.
It is emerging that aside from Ghana, come other African countries have been hit by the bird flu virus.
Ghana recorded Bird Flu in 2007, 2015, 2016, and 2018.
The Minister of Food ad Agriculture has however placed a ban on the importation of poultry and all poultry birds from neighbouring countries.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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