The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) is urging compensation for farmers affected by the recent dengue fever outbreak in Ghana’s eastern and central regions.
With the Ghana Health Service reporting 36 cases of dengue fever on July 17, the urgency of the situation is clear. The outbreak has particularly impacted farmers in districts such as Birim Central, Birim North, Akyemansa, Birim South, and Achiase in the Eastern Region.
Hajia Habiba Yussufu, Eastern Regional Director of MoFA, stressed the need for immediate support to affected farmers during the launch of the 2024 4th edition of the Eastern Commodity Satellite Market Fair in Koforidua.
She stated, “Farmers have invested in inputs and grants for production, only to be affected by dengue fever.”
Yussufu underscored the broader implications for food security, highlighting government efforts to provide input to farmers affected by previous challenges like the Akosombo Dam spillover and the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak has not only affected individual farmers but also posed a threat to the region’s food security.
Yussufu Stressed the need for compensation, stating that it would aid affected farmers in recovering and ensuring regional and national food security. This is the main advocacy of MoFA in this situation.
The MoFA’s continued advocacy for swift action to support farmers impacted by health-related setbacks underscores the critical role of agriculture in sustaining livelihoods across Ghana.
