Some cattle owners in Akuse, a suburb in the Eastern region of Ghana have indicated that a disease claimed the lives of a considerable number of their cattle herd. The disease is said to be very acute and quickly kills the affected animals within 24 hours. Speaking on Rite FM’s Akuafo Se Sen segment, Mr. Yaw Abiomom a cattle farmer stated personally, he has lost 9 cows worth GHS 60,000 at GHS 6000 each
‘The animals loose weight drastically, loose appetite, become dull and die within 24 hours,just yesterday another farmer recorded deaths on his farm too’ Mr. Yaw Abiomom said. According to him, the disease started in December 2018 and currently, he has recorded 81 deaths. His farm with 9, and deaths from other farms making it of about 81. He believes strongly a little over 100 cattle have been lost to this disease alone.
‘We called the veterinary officers who came and did what they could but to no avail. We slaughter the ones that show early symptoms upon the recommendations of a veterinary officer and sell. We bury the carcasses of the dead ones but when they die when grazing, we leave them there’ Mr. Abiomom said.
One hundred cattle selling at GHS 6000 each means about GHS 600, 000 is being lost by the farmers, their families, communities and the nation as a whole.
Patrick Laryea|Laryeapatricknii@yahoo.com|RiteFM online.org
