Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association condemns infested gizzard on the market

The Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association (GAPFA) has condemned the importation of salmonella infested gizzard onto the Ghanaian market, describing the act as mean.

In a statement, GAPFA explained that salmonella poses serious health risks to the human kidney and liver, and as such, its consumption would have dire consequences for victims who patronize such bacterial infested gizzard.

The GAPFA has since 2019, been advocating and campaigning for local poultry consumption, calling on government to assist and empower local poultry farmers to thrive.

The Association has as well been strongly appealing to government for a regulated quota system to limit the almost 80 per cent of poultry products imported into Ghana annually.

GAPFA maintains that a well-structured quota system with market availability would encourage local poultry producers to fill the gap and produce enough to feed all citizens.

Director of Veterinary Services Directorate at MoFA, Dr Asiedu Baah who confirmed the incidence to the media, said, “Out of the four containers three have been cleared and we did a traceback and found out that indeed the importers have taken out three containers and sold the unwholesome products to the general public.”

Officials say the companies imported the products without import permits and veterinary health certificates.

Albeit, the MoFA has filed a complaint to the BNI and it is awaiting sanctions and prosecutions.

Meanwhile, the GAPFA is appealing to government to expedite investigations to bring the culprits to book.

With a membership of about 700 poultry farmers, the Greater Accra Poultry Farmers Association, established in 1978 is the only poultry farmer association in Ghana with a feed mill.

The Association produces feed for sale to its members and maintains a vibrant growth each year.

Source: Myjoyonline.com | Joy Business