Ghana: Compensation for poultry farmers affected by bird flu

Ghana’s Minister of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto, said funds would also be dedicated to the recruitment and deployment of 550 veterinary professionals, procurement of vehicles and motorcycles, and laboratory equipment for the smooth operations of the Veterinary Services Directorate in the various districts to help curb the spread of such diseases.

By 31 December 2021, the country reported losses of 554,638 birds, 1,701 bags of feed, and 2,548 crates of egg. Farmers affected between July to the end of December 2021 will receive compensation for losses incurred as a result of the outbreak. The ministry, he said at a press conference in the country’s capital, Accra, had agreed to the following:

• GH₵30 for a matured bird (US$4.11)
• GH₵20 for a pullet (US$2.74)
• GH₵10 per chick or crate of eggs (US$1.37)
• GH₵80 for a bag of feed (US$10.96)

Akoto reiterated the need for farmers to intensify biosecurity measures on their farms, and to avoid restocking farms until biosecurity certification and management practices were certified by the VSD and Animal Production Directorate.

The minister said biometric registration and certification of all poultry farms in the country was ongoing to set up a comprehensive database for all poultry farmers in the country. “This is all part of modernising poultry farming in the country and enhancing the accuracy of data for planning, targeting for support and payment of compensations when the need arises in the future,” he said.

Patrick Abakeh, Director of Veterinary Services, MoFA, cautioned poultry farmers against importing or moving chicks to various parts of the country without certification. In the case of an outbreak, he said the ministry would be compelled to destroy such farms without any compensation.