The Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has said that it is never true that some Guinea fowls which were reared under the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) during his presidency flew to Burkina Faso and never returned.
Addressing a press conference during his Upper East Regional tour, the former President who is now the NDC flagbearer for the 2024 elections explained that the claim that the Guinea Fowls flew to Burkina Faso and never returned during his presidency were malicious propaganda which was perpetuated by the NPP to make his government look bad.
Mahama explained to the media that the decision for SADA to rear Guinea Fowls was borne out of the realisation that Guinea fowl farming was particularly profitable in the Upper East Region.
As a result, an incubation plant was established under the SADA initiative to incubate Guinea fowl eggs and raise day-old chicks for distribution.
He clarified that the process faced criticism and allegations that Guinea fowls had flown to Burkina Faso.
He stated that Guinea fowls are not migratory birds, so no Guinea fowls flew to Burkina Faso.
Speaking with the media in Bolga after his tour, Mahama explained that the confusion arose when a security guard, in response to an inquiry, mentioned that the Guinea fowls had gone to Burkina Faso and would return during the rainy season.
“No Guinea Fowls flew to Burkina Faso, Guinea Fowls are not migratory birds and so somebody said he asked the watchman, where are the Guinea fowls? and the watchman said ‘dem go Burkina Faso dey go come raining season, dey go come back and then it took a life of its own, the media went and published it and up till now there are some who believe that there were some Guinea Fowls that flew to Burkina Faso…,” he said.
Mahama expressed his commitment to reviving the Guinea fowl farming sector, stating that its economic benefits to many Ghanaians.
He criticized the current government’s handling of the poultry industry, citing rising costs of inputs and feed due to the financial crisis.
He assured that, if elected, the NDC would address these issues.
