The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) is advocating for some compensation for farmers who have been affected by the dengue fever outbreak.
The Ghana Health Service reported a total of 36 dengue cases on July 17 in the Eastern and Central regions, affecting some farmers in the Birim Central, Birim North, Akyemansa, Birim South and Achiase districts in the Eastern Region.
According to MoFA, the distribution of some farming inputs and grants to these farmers affected by the health issue will go a long way to help the affected farmers bounce back and also contribute towards ensuring food security in the region and the country as a whole.
The Eastern Regional Director of MoFA, Hajia Habiba Yussufu made this call on the sidelines of the launch of the 2024 4th edition of the Eastern Commodity Satellite Market Fair in Koforidua.
“The issue of dengue fever affects all of us and not just the farmers who are there [in the affected districts]. Certainly, the farmer has bought inputs or if even it is a grant, you start your production and at the end of the day you fall sick and all that you have done now is left in the bush.
“So at the end of the day, how would you even take care of yourself? So when there is a health issue, certainly it affects food security.
“The government is doing well, even for those who suffered during the [Akosombo Dam] spillover. They have been given inputs free of charge as compensation.
“So for such people who had issues, even during COVID, inputs were given to our farmers free of charge so for those who have suffered the dengue fever, I think they must be compensated and be given inputs.”
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