Poultry farmers, egg sellers and exporters in Dormaa Ahenkro are calling on the Government of Ghana to urgently engage Burkina Faso over a ban on the importation of Ghanaian eggs, warning that the situation is crippling their businesses.
At a press conference, the Dormaa Ahenkro Poultry Farmers, Egg Sellers and Exporters Association said the restrictions, which have been in place for more than two months, have led to heavy financial losses and disrupted trade between the two countries.
Baafour Atosi Ababio, Chief of Atesikrom and Nsumankwaahene of the Dormaa Traditional Council, described the development as a major setback for an area widely known as one of Ghana’s leading egg-producing hubs.
He said eggs destined for Burkina Faso are now being destroyed, leaving traders in distress.
According to him, the Burkinabe authorities have cited health concerns and alleged irregularities, linking them to Ghana’s 2015 bird flu outbreak.
He, however, noted that the absence of an official government white paper confirming the effective management of the disease continues to raise doubts about the safety of Ghanaian eggs.
He therefore urged the government and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to issue a formal report clarifying the country’s bird flu status, arguing that this would help restore confidence and revive exports.
The President of the Eggs Exporters Association in Dormaa Ahenkro, Sylvester Asante, also appealed for swift diplomatic engagement to resolve the impasse.
He stressed the need for clear and consistent export procedures, as well as independent testing and certification of eggs by recognised health and food safety authorities.
He said the results of such tests should be formally communicated to Burkina Faso to assure authorities there that Ghanaian eggs are safe for consumption.
Nana Adoma Yeboaa, Ahenema Krontihemaa of the Dormaa Traditional Council and an executive member of the association, warned that the impact of the restrictions goes beyond traders.
She said the disruption has led to job losses, particularly among young people who were previously engaged in packing and transporting eggs. With exports halted, many of them are now out of work, placing additional strain on households.
She appealed to President John Mahama to intervene urgently to restore trade and prevent further economic hardship and potential social challenges linked to rising unemployment.