Accra: The Central and West African Virus Epidemiology for Food Security (WAVE), an agriculture-focused organization, has raised concerns about the potential threat of Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) in Ghana. The organization is urging enhanced surveillance efforts to prevent the disease, which poses a significant risk to both cassava production and food security in the country. WAVE has called on stakeholders, including farmers, agricultural officials, and manufacturers, to remain vigilant.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Allen Oppong, the Coordinator for WAVE in Ghana, emphasized the importance of the Plant Protection and Regulatory Service (PPRS) in maintaining strict inspection and certification procedures for all imported cassava stems. He highlighted the risk of farmers importing cassava stems without following the formal certification process, which could introduce infected plants into the country. Dr. Oppong urged the PPRS to ensure that imported stems are certified, clean, and sourced from countries where the disease is not present, advising that any suspicious imports should be seized and destroyed.
Dr. Oppong, who also serves as a Principal Research Scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSRI) Crop Research Institute (CRI) in Kumasi, shared these insights during a workshop for agricultural officials from the Central and Western Regions. The workshop focused on the ongoing monitoring of cassava viral diseases. He noted that while Ghana is currently dealing with the endemic Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD), which affects the leaves and yields of the plant, CBSD presents additional challenges by affecting the tubers and causing significant damage.
The Cassava Brown Streak Disease, predominantly found in East and Central Africa, has not reached Ghana yet. However, the potential impact of the disease, which can significantly reduce yields, highlights the need for robust preventive measures. The workshop aimed to equip participants with the skills to collect and analyze data using the Kobocollect App, a tool designed for data collection and reporting.
Dr. Oppong stressed the importance of public awareness and urged prompt reporting of any signs of the disease. He also advised cassava stem importers to be cautious about the origins of their imports to prevent the spread of the disease within Ghana. Although CBSD does not directly affect human health, its impact on productivity and food security can be severe.
Dr. Peter Omega, the Central Regional Agriculture Director, reiterated the critical role of cassava in ensuring food security and economic stability. He pointed out that Ghana's cassava production was at 140 percent sufficiency in 2022, producing 26 million tonnes. Despite this success, Dr. Omega warned that diseases and pests posed a continuous threat to the industry. He called for more support for agriculture officers, farmers, and students to effectively combat these challenges.