Ghana government pays over GH¢1m Bird Flu compensation to farmers

Government on Monday paid GH¢1,067,355 as compensation to 25 farmers whose poultry and poultry products were destroyed to contain the outbreak of the Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) some months ago.

The compensation represents 90 per cent of the current market value of GH¢1,185,928 of poultry, poultry products and feed to the affected farmers and payment was to encourage early report of outbreaks.

About 44, 144 birds of various species were destroyed during the exercise.

Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Fifi Kwetey who presented the cheques said though the percentage of payment to the affected farmers might not be satisfactory, it was a step to invest the funds back into poultry production

“We are very much aware that the outbreak of bird flu on farms had negatively affected farmers financially, morally and socially, but we are hopeful that farmers have absorbed these difficulties and are ready to start all over again,” he said.

He commended the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the US Embassy for their consistent financial and technical support in prevention and control of the disease in the country.

Mr Victor Oppong Adjei, President of the Ghana National Association of Poultry Farmers commended government effort but expressed his displeasure for the association’s exclusion in finding modalities for payment and the short notice of informing members about the payments.

Lt Col Edwin Kwamena Sam, a beneficiary asked government to support poultry farmers to enable them meet the country’s poultry needs.

Source: GNA