General

Bird Flu situation under control across country – Agic Minister

By Yvonne Atilego

Bono, Upper East and Eastern regions are the latest to record cases of Bird Flu. This brings to 10 out of 16 regions to have been affected with the disease.

The already affected regions including Greater Accra, Tema and Ashanti continue to experience new cases.

The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto announced this at a media briefing in Accra to update the public on how the Ministry is managing the outbreak of Bird Flu across the country.

Bird Flu in Bolgatanga — The Agric Minister said the Ministry is managing the outbreak of Bird Flu across the country.

According to Dr. Afriyie Akoto, the Veterinary Services Directorate of the Ministry has been on hand to offer the requisite services for stemming spread of the disease.

Meanwhile the Ministry has received Financial Clearance to commence the First Quarter. Sector Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto was hopeful the money will help the Ministry in the fight against the Bird Flu.

Meanwhile, the government has taken steps to up-date the existing 1960 Animal Health Act by finalizing a new Bill for introduction to parliament this year. The absence of this act is a major reason the country’s poultry and livestock industry has become vulnerable to the outbreak of transboundary animal diseases.

Sector Minister, Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto noted that once the Act is updated it will empower the Ministry through the Veterinary Service Department to regulate the industry.