Accra, Oct. 14, GNA-Under its PlantwisePlus programme, CABI has hosted a stakeholders workshop in Accra, to review the three-year old prevention and emergency preparedness plan developed for the viral Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD).
BBTD is the most destructive viral disease of banana and plantain worldwide. The disease is vectored by the banana aphids in a persistent manner.
Long distances spread of the banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) is facilitated by human movement of infected plant materials, especially suckers. In Africa, BBTD has been reported in 19 countries already and in West Africa, the disease is present in Nigeria and Benin. 
Considering the contribution of plantain (13%) and banana (6.8%) to the agricultural GDP in Ghana and to total caloric intake among the Ghanaian population, BBTD is a major threat to food and income security if introduced into Ghana.
It is in this direction that CABI initiated in collaboration with Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD) and other relevant stakeholders, the development of a prevention and emergency preparedness plan against BBTD in 2022. 
Under this plan, regular detection surveillance activities for BBTD were organized by CABI and national partners in major plantain and banana production regions. 
Dr Lakpo Koku Agboyi, a Senior Scientist – Invasive Species Management at CABI, said, “Although the disease is not reported yet in Ghana, a review of the 2022 Prevention and Emergency Preparedness Plan was necessary to ensure its robustness to deal with any potential threats”.
Dr Agboyi said banana and plantain are crops of socio-economical importance that sustained the livelihood of many people and any devastation would have a negative impact.
“So, this workshop attended by participants from PPRSD, Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), CSIR-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI), Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute (BNARI) and Directorate of Agricultural Extension Services (DAES) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and CABI, helped to review and improve the 2022 Prevention and Emergency Preparedness Plan for BBTD developed for Ghana, by especially adding a chapter on the Contingency Response Plan to address the increased risk of this invasive viral disease for the country,” he said.
Dr. Andrew Sarkodie Appiah, a Senior Research Scientist at BNARI said it was important that Ghana got its plan right, considering the devastating impact of BBTD on the banana industry in the West Africa sub-region, especially in Nigeria and Benin.
“So, as a country, we don’t have to sit down, fold our arms and wait for the disease to enter into the country before we take action. The risk of farmers along the borders of Ghana exchanging planting materials with farmers of neighbouring countries is high. In addition to the prevention and emergency preparedness plan, we have to draw a response plan, to be ready to face and combat the disease, in case it enters the country” he said.
As a viral disease, there is no treatment/cure once plants become infected. Like many other invasive species, BBTV invasion can remain undetected for a long period if no measure is taken for early detection, containment, eradication and management.
Mr. Prudence Atippoe, Head of the Plant Quarantine Division at PPRSD, described the initiative as timely and strategic.
“The objective is to develop a comprehensive prevention, emergency preparedness and response plan that enables Ghana to act swiftly in the event of an incursion,” he stated.
“This includes measures for early detection, containment, and eradication to minimize the disease’s impact.”
He mentioned infected banana or plantain suckers as a primary source for the disease transmission and underscored the importance of stringent phytosanitary measures.
“PPRSD conducts rigorous pest risk analyses before issuing import permits for the importation of banana plantlets or planting materials to commercial farms. We ensure that all planting materials originate from disease-free sources,” he explained.
Mr. Atippoe further cautioned that while permits may not be issued for banana/plantain suckers that farmers could carry to cross the land borders, there remains a risk of unauthorized entry through Ghana’s porous borders.
“West Africa countries such as Benin, Nigeria where the disease exist could pose a challenge, as banana suckers may be introduced via informal or unapproved routes,” he noted.
He emphasized the need for Plant Quarantine Inspectors of the PPRSD stationed at Ghana’s entry points to be adequately resourced to effectively prevent biosecurity threats.
He further underscored the importance of coordinated support from other border agencies to strengthen surveillance and enforcement efforts.
The emergency response plan aims to bolster national readiness and safeguard Ghana’s banana industry from potential biosecurity threats.
The workshop was held on September 30 and October 1, 2025.
GNA
Christian Akorlie