Bird Flu Outbreak: Poultry Farmers Run After Gov’t For GH¢1.8m Compensation

The plight of poultry farmers who lost their birds to Avian influenza (bird flu) between 2015 and 2018 continues to unfold, with many still awaiting compensation from the government.

The epic, which has been ongoing for several years, took a turn for the worse when the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) failed to comply with a directive from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to compensate the affected farmers.

In February 2024, the PAC instructed MOFA to pay the farmers within a month, but it appears that the ministry has not made any progress in this regard.

The farmers, who had their livelihoods destroyed by the bird flu outbreak, are now struggling to make ends meet and are crying out for justice.

According to the farmers, some of their colleagues have received compensation, but through a perceived “back door” method, while others have been left in the dark.

Also read; Upcoming Two Rainstorms Threat to Ghana-GMet Warns

The uncertainty has led to anxiety and frustration among the affected farmers, who are desperate to know if they will ever receive their due compensation.

One of the farmers, Charles Quaye, who lost 850 birds, shared his harrowing experience on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem. “At that time, a bird was sold for GH₵60 so imagine how much money I lost.

Nobody from the Ministry is telling us anything, but you will be there a colleague farmer will call that he has been settled. What is happening and how do they want the rest of us to survive?” he asked.

Another farmer, George Anim Larbi, who lost 2062 birds, suspects foul play in the disbursement of the compensation funds. “I have lost all my workers and can barely feed my family.

We all know the difficult times we find ourselves in, yet nobody is paying attention to us. I suspect someone is deliberately withholding the money,” he said.

The delay in compensation has not only affected the farmers’ livelihoods but also their families and communities.

The situation has become unbearable for many of them, and they are calling on the government to take immediate action to address their grievanaces.

As the waiting  continues, it remains to be seen whether the government will indeed compensate the affected farmers or leave them in limbo.

One thing is certain, however – the poultry farmers are tired of being ignored and are demanding justice and compensation for their losses.

Kindly share our story on; Bird Flu Outbreak: Poultry Farmers Run After Gov’t For GH¢1.8m Compensation

For more story; click Here.