Tourists obsessed with the consumption of the tilapia fish, a favourite delicacy in Ghana will have to turn to other species to appease their appetite as the Ghanaian Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD) has placed a ban on its importation in the country.
According to a press release signed by the Acting Chief Director, Prof. Francis K.E Nunoo on behalf of the minister, he said the ban is one of the immediate actions being taken by the ministry to help prevent and control the Tilapia Lake Virus.
He said the Tilapia Virus is a newly emerging virus that is associated with significant mortalities in farmed tilapia. He added that the attention of the ministry has been drawn to the fact that, cases have been reported across Africa, Asia and South America, that the virus represents a huge risk to the global tilapia industry.
He said: “ In line with this, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development is with this release placing a Ban on the import of all ornamental fishes and tilapia species (live and dead) including gametes-eggs and milt into the country effect from 1st July to 31st December, 2018.”
He stated the ministry will follow up with capacity building and awareness creation programmes at different levels to farmers, hatchery operators, extension officers and consumers and the general public to support implementation of simple farm level biosecurity programmes.
He added that consumers and stakeholders are therefore advised to report any issue arising or related to this issue to the ministry, adding that the ministry will also update the public on any new developments on this in due time.
By Friday Nwosu
