ATP Opens Livestock Market In Ghana
IN A bid to give Ghanaians varied taste of mutton, the Burkina Faso Livestock Rearers Association in collaboration with the Agro-business and Trade Promotion (ATP) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has introduced 350 Sahelian sheep onto the Ghanaian market.
Speaking to DAILY GUIDE at a farm site at Ashaiman, Venancious Ngmenkom Tuor, the Communication and Outreach Executive of Association, said the maiden agro-business was intended to enhance the trade linkages between Ghana and Burkina Faso to increase value and volume of international trade and food security.
He pointed out that the trade would break the barriers of bribery and corruption, road harassment and illegal livestock importation.
According to him, most livestock importers do not have genuine travelling documents and were faced with the seizure of their livestock at the customs' and police barriers.
He said with ATP and USAID in the trade, illegal livestock importers would be eliminated to promote trade among member countries such as Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo, Benin and Cotê d'Ivoire.
“If the 350 Sahelian sheep sell very well on the Ghanaian market, the Association would bring into the country an additional 1,150 flock but in batches,” he said, adding that other livestock like cattle and goats would be introduced onto the Ghanaian market at a later date.
For his part, Mr. Abdul Samed Shaban, a member of the Ghana Association of Livestock Rearers, said the price of a Sahelian sheep was moderate, inviting Ghanaians to patronize it.
“The initiative would be sustained if the market becomes favourable to the suppliers, he said.
He noted that the two trade partners would transport the flocks to the Ashaiman Livestock Market (Tulaku) as soon as they complete the safety pen, saying, “We are certainly aware of the huge presence of thieves at the market and so we don't want to risk our business gains.”
He mentioned that publicity had been carried out on the airwaves to inform the consuming public about the availability of the livestock.
Cesse Aliu, a member of the Burkina Faso Association of Livestock Rearers, said their motivation for doing business in Ghana was the fact that the country had been identified as a brisk business center, where businessmen feel at home because of its intensive security.
He noted that the association took good care of their livestock; hence, making their livestock market one of the best in West African.