Poultry Farmers in the Ashaiman Municipality have sent a Save- Our Soul (SOS) message to the government to alleviate their plight, following the outbreak of Avian Influenza (bird flu) that has devastated poultry birds in the area.
Avian influenza or bird flu is a disease caused by infection and spread amongst birds to human that can cause fatalities.
Thousands of birds had been destroyed since November 10 in the municipality, especially within the Irrigation Development Authority enclave (IDA).
On Monday, thousands of fowls were destroyed by officers of the municipal veterinary service under the Department of Food and Agriculture.
Dr Naomi Gaizer, Municipal Veterinary Officer, told the Ghanaian Times in an interview that the situation was alarming and needed the government’s intervention.
She stated farmers whose birds were affected had not been compensated since the outbreak.
She explained that even though her department had forwarded the situational report to the Greater Accra Regional office, her outfit was yet to receive a positive response.
It would be recalled that the Ashaiman municipality in the Greater Accra Region had recorded massive avian influenza (bird flu) that affects poultry birds.
Over 7,947 birds, mainly fowls, had died so far within the IDA enclave, hub for poultry production.
The Municipal Chief Executive of Ashaiman, Mr Albert Boakye Okyere, who disclosed the outbreak at the 39th National Farmers Day celebration in the municipality on Friday, bemoaned the attitude of some farmers which were in contrary to instructions of veterinary officers.