Ghana has lifted the ban on the importation of poultry products from five European countries.

Speaking with Asaase Business, Bagbara Tanko, public relations officer at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture said, “My checks at the chief director’s office indicates that the ban has been lifted… ”

In November 2020, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) banned the importation of poultry products from five European countries.

The ban is also extended to the importation of day-old chicks, hatching eggs, frozen chicken and poultry feed from these countries.

It follows a confirmed outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (subtype H5N8) in Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia and the United Kingdom.

“Importers are to note that all permits that were issued for such consignment from the Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Denmark and the United Kingdom have been rendered invalid with immediate effect,” a statement from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture said.

The ministry said the action was taken in response to advice from the Veterinary Services Directorate.

Sector overview
An analysis report on commercial poultry production in Ghana, carried out by the Dutch government in 2019, categorized the sector into large-scale (over 50,000 birds), medium-scale (10,000 to 50,000 birds) and small-scale (fewer than 10,000 birds) enterprises.

Domestic commercial farms are privately owned by individuals or a family.

According to the Ghana Poultry Project (GPP), there are currently 29 large-scale commercial poultry farms in Ghana, mostly based in the Ashanti Region (13), the former Brong-Ahafo (12) and Greater Accra (four). These form about 20 per cent of the whole poultry sector, producing mainly eggs.

Most operate their own feed-mills. Some also maintain a hatchery and parent stock.