Sunyani(B/A), May 02, GNA - A 17-member Brong Ahafo Regional emergency preparedness committee to manage the threat, control and spread of Avian Flu (H5NI) and human pandemic influenza has been inaugurated in Sunyani.

The Committee is also expected to intensify public education on the dangers of the Avian Flu disease and emergency measures that should be instituted in the event of an outbreak of the disease in the region. Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Brong Ahafo Regional Minister-designate, called on the committee to enforce the ban on importation of poultry products from neighbouring countries.

He expressed concern about the reduction in poultry products in Dormaa Ahenkro that had led to low demand for poultry products, adding; "This has had a rippling effect on the national economy and income levels of poultry farmers."

Mr Baffour-Awuah attributed the panic among the public of the Avian Flu disease to misreporting by the media particularly the radio stations.

He noted that production of maize had greatly been affected by the reports on the disease and lack of patronage of maize by poultry farmers.

"Demand for maize has reduced. A bag of maize which sold at 300,000 cedis last year, now sells at between 170,000 to 180,000 cedis," He added.

Nana Atta Afena, Brong Ahafo Regional Coordinator of NADMO, noted that the Avian Flu was "Becoming one of the greatest economic and health crisis of society in addition to the HIV/AIDS pandemic." He said there was therefore, the need to put in place effective, pragmatic and coordinated efforts to check and mitigate the spread of the disease into the country.

Mr Afena said Government, had instituted a working group of personnel from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Veterinary Service Division), Ministry of the Interior, NADMO and other development partners to meet, plan, educate and disseminate information on the threat of the disease to the public.

He said the National, Regional and District Disaster Management Committees formed the structures to handle the threat.

"There is therefore, the need for the district committees to be sensitised through workshops to help in surveillance on mass poultry deaths and points of contact of reporting any outbreak of this disease," He added.

The Regional NADMO Coordinator gave the assurance that Government would not shirk its responsibility to support the prevention and control of the disease.

The committee has Mr Baffour Awuah as Chairman. Other members include Dr. George Bonsu, Ghana Health Service; Mr. R. K. Santah, Social Welfare; Mr. K. M. Afful, Ghana National Fire Service; Dr. M. K. Ayensu, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Veterinary Division; Mr.Imoru Farouk Adam (CEPS); Nana Atta Fena (NADMO); Mr. L. V. Amengor (GBC); Mr. B. Aaron Poku, Information Service Department; Lt. Col. Abu Alhassan, Three Garrison Commander.

The rest are, Mr. Anthony Nimako, Brong Ahafo Regional Education Office; Mr. Seth Appianing, Ghana Immigration Service and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ayensu Opare Addo, Brong Ahafo Regional Police Commander. 02 May 06