Ghana: GAWU Worries Over First Case of Avian Influenza
8 May 2007
Posted to the web 8 May 2007
Naa Norley
THE GENERAL Agricultural Workers' Union (GAWU) of Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has expressed worry over the announcement that bird flu has hit Ghana from a farm at Tema.
In a press release issued at the week end, GAWU said it had learnt with deep sadness the news of Ghana's first case of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu.
'We will like to express our appreciation to MOFA and other agencies for the alacrity with which they have worked on the detection and confirmation of the avian influenza in Ghana. We strongly commend the efforts of officials of the Veterinary Services Directorate who investigated the suspected cases of the Virus infection in Tema".
According to the release signed by the General Secretary, Mr. Samuel Kangah, GAWU "notes with concern that the confirmation of bird flu in Ghana, makes the country the latest in the sub-region to have the virus. Although all of Ghana's neighbours have already reported cases of bird flu infection, we in GAWU recognize that earlier efforts of all stakeholders, public and private agencies, kept us from getting attacks of the disease.
"In this vein, we implore all stakeholders, especially those on the poultry farms, to continue to be vigilant to ensure that this very first case of infection in the country does not spread beyond the Tema area. Also we call on officials of the Veterinary Services Directorate not to be daunted in their efforts to ensure that the farms and poultry within the environs of the first suspected case witness no further spread.
"In our view, the bird flu case should be treated as an emergency situation, and so key institutions such as the Ministries of Health and Food and Agriculture, the Directorates of Public Health and Veterinary Services and the World Health Organisation country office, as well as poultry farmers and agricultural organisations, should intensify public education on the avian influenza, especially the deadly "H5Nl" strain.
"We in GAWU will continue to monitor the situation, and work with the poultry farmers and all stakeholders in the industry to ensure that the confirmed cases are contained and to nip this unfortunate situation in the bud", the release added.
8 May 2007
Posted to the web 8 May 2007
Naa Norley
THE GENERAL Agricultural Workers' Union (GAWU) of Ghana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) has expressed worry over the announcement that bird flu has hit Ghana from a farm at Tema.
In a press release issued at the week end, GAWU said it had learnt with deep sadness the news of Ghana's first case of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu.
'We will like to express our appreciation to MOFA and other agencies for the alacrity with which they have worked on the detection and confirmation of the avian influenza in Ghana. We strongly commend the efforts of officials of the Veterinary Services Directorate who investigated the suspected cases of the Virus infection in Tema".
According to the release signed by the General Secretary, Mr. Samuel Kangah, GAWU "notes with concern that the confirmation of bird flu in Ghana, makes the country the latest in the sub-region to have the virus. Although all of Ghana's neighbours have already reported cases of bird flu infection, we in GAWU recognize that earlier efforts of all stakeholders, public and private agencies, kept us from getting attacks of the disease.
"In this vein, we implore all stakeholders, especially those on the poultry farms, to continue to be vigilant to ensure that this very first case of infection in the country does not spread beyond the Tema area. Also we call on officials of the Veterinary Services Directorate not to be daunted in their efforts to ensure that the farms and poultry within the environs of the first suspected case witness no further spread.
"In our view, the bird flu case should be treated as an emergency situation, and so key institutions such as the Ministries of Health and Food and Agriculture, the Directorates of Public Health and Veterinary Services and the World Health Organisation country office, as well as poultry farmers and agricultural organisations, should intensify public education on the avian influenza, especially the deadly "H5Nl" strain.
"We in GAWU will continue to monitor the situation, and work with the poultry farmers and all stakeholders in the industry to ensure that the confirmed cases are contained and to nip this unfortunate situation in the bud", the release added.