Ghana has banned the importation of all tilapia fish to prevent the outbreak of a virus which posed a huge risk to the global tilapia industry.

The Ministry for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development announced that the government had placed a ban on the importation of dead or live ornamental fishes and tilapia species in response to the emerging Tilapia Lake Virus and its associated fatalities.

The Tilapia Lake Virus had no cure, and had been found in tilapia farms across Africa, Asia and South America, it added.

It said the attention of MoFAD had been drawn to the emerging disease with cases reported in Africa, Asia and South America, adding that the virus represented a huge risk to the global tilapia industry.

“In line with this, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development is placing a ban on the import of all ornamental fishes and tilapia species, including gamete-eggs and milt, into the country with effect from July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018,” the statement announced.

The ministry said the six-month ban – which comes into effect on Sunday – would affect both live and dead tilapia fish.

Ghana’s fish stock has been depleting because of illegal over-fishing.

There are a few tilapia farms in Ghana, but the farming is done on a small scale.

Tilapia is a popular dish in Ghana and is often served with a fermented corn and cassava dough called banku.

BBC