Government donates six Brahman cattle to University of Ghana
The government has donated six Brahman cattle to the Livestock and Poultry Centre of the University of Ghana, Legon, for research and cross breeding purposes.
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The decision to hand over the cattle to the centre was taken by the late President John Evans Atta Mills during his visit to an agricultural farm in Namibia in 2011.
He bought one of the Brahman bulls, and the Zambian Government added five cows to it as a gift to Ghana. The Zambian Government then shipped the cattle to Ghana.
The Brahman is mainly used for breeding and the meat industry; it has been crossbred extensively with European beef breeds of cattle. The Brahman is one of the most popular breeds of cattle intended for meat processing and is widely used in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, United States, Colombia and northern Australia.
Brahman cattle are known for their extreme tolerance to heat conditions and are therefore used in many tropical regions. They are also resistant to insects due to their thick layer of skin. Brahman cattle live longer than many other breeds, often still producing calves at ages 15 and older.
It was in recognition of the role played by the late President Mills in securing the cattle that the handing over ceremony was performed at the Asomdwe Park (the graveyard of the former President Mills.)
President John Dramani Mahama, who handed over the cattle to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Prof Ernest Aryittey, said the cattle were expected to support the research work of the agricultural department of the University of Ghana, Legon.
Besides, he said, the cattle would be used for cross-breeding to improve the local meat and milk production.
Prof. Aryittey thanked the government for the gesture and indicated that the cattle would be good for research and cross breeding.
Story by Musah Yahaya Jafaru