Government would not compensate traders -Debrah

Accra, Feb. 1, GNA - The Government would not compensate guinea fowl and chicken traders whose birds were seized and destroyed during the bird flu scare in the country, Mr Ernest Debrah, Minister of Food and Agriculture, told Parliament on Thursday.

Mr Albert Abongo, NDC-Bongo, had asked Mr Debrah whether compensation would be paid to chicken and guinea fowl traders, who had their birds destroyed while in transit from the Upper East Region to Accra during the bird flu scare.

Mr Debrah said that the Veterinary Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) were satisfied that the birds came from Burkina Faso and since a ban had then been placed on chicken and chicken products from that country, those affected were engaged in an illegality.

Mr George Kuntu-Blankson, NDC-Mfantseman East also asked the Minister what financial package was there for pineapple growers in the Ekumfi area in the Central Region.

Answering, Mr Debrah noted that Ekumfi grew predominantly sugarloaf variety of pineapples, which was carving a niche in the export market in addition to local patronage.

However, the lack of knowledge in production and harvesting technology; small and fragmented production; lack of business; entrepreneurial and negotiation skills among the farmers militated against their making the most of the opportunity to expand their activities.

Mr Debrah said the Ministry and German Technical Co-operation (GTZ) and a Dutch organization, SND were organizing the farmers into cohesive groups that would have the ability to negotiate with input dealers and access credit and financial support.

So far 1,590 farmers had been organized into 47 groups and were being provided training in record keeping; group dynamics; production and post-harvest practices.

Mr Debrah said 100 people in the Ekumfi Area had been registered to participate in the Youth Employment Programme with the focus of providing assistance to the youth in pineapple production. "Although the Ministry has not directly given the farmers cash as a form of financial package; when monetary value is placed on the activities that are currently being undertaken the amount of assistance provided could be substantial," Mr Debrah said.