According to several poultry producers, they have still not received compensation for the two consecutive outbreaks of avian influenza (bird flu) that devastated their birds between 2015 and 2018.
They claim that while some farmers have received payment through what is believed to be a back door mechanism, other farmers’ attempts to collect their money have been ineffective.
The concerned farmers claimed that life has become intolerable for them and their families as they discussed their situation on Adom FM’s morning program, Dwaso Nsem, on Thursday.
They want to know if the government will pay their compensation so they can move on.
In February 2024, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) instructed the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) to compensate these poultry farmers.
This followed the 2022 Auditor General’s Report, which revealed that over GH¢1.8 million meant for compensation is still unused in the Ministry’s account.
Chairman James Klutse Avedzi emphasized that the payment should be made within a month.
He warned that if the Ministry fails to comply, it will be summoned for questioning.
However, months later, the farmers say they have heard nothing from the Ministry.
One farmer, Charles Quaye, who had 850 birds, said he followed all the required steps but has seen no results.
“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 quizzed.
George Anim Larbi, a different farmer who also lost 2062 chicks, expressed his suspicions about possible malfeasance in the payout.
“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 added.
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