Mahama Disputes Claims of Guinea Fowls Flying to Burkina Faso

Aug 7- John Dramani Mahama, the 2024 flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has dismissed allegations that guinea fowls from the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) initiative migrated to Burkina Faso during his presidency in 2014. These claims had surfaced back then, creating a media sensation that suggested the birds had crossed borders.

Speaking to the press in Bolgatanga at the conclusion of his Upper East Region tour on August 7, Mahama vehemently denied these allegations, labeling them as unfounded. He attributed the misconceptions to a lack of proper understanding and accurate reporting of the SADA project.

Mahama clarified that the SADA initiative was designed to distribute day-old guinea fowl chicks to local farmers rather than raising the birds in a single, enclosed location. The intent was to integrate these birds into existing local farming practices rather than keeping them confined in one area.

He criticized the media for failing to investigate the project thoroughly before making sensational claims. According to Mahama, the project was misinterpreted, leading to the erroneous belief that guinea fowls had flown to Burkina Faso. He stressed that guinea fowls are not migratory birds and, therefore, could not have traveled to the neighboring country.

The former President recounted an incident where a misunderstanding involving a watchman contributed to the misinformation. The watchman had humorously suggested that the guinea fowls had gone to Burkina Faso and would return during the rainy season. This statement was taken out of context and reported by the media, further fueling the erroneous narrative.

Mahama also revealed that there had been plans for processing the guinea fowls once they matured. The processed birds were intended to be transported to markets across the country using refrigerated trucks. However, due to various issues, including media criticism