The University of Ghana has received six Brahman cows (a bull and five heifers) from the Government of Ghana for cross breeding and research purposes. The presentation was in fulfillment of a promise made by the late President, His Excellency John Atta Mills.
Giving the background to the donation, President Mahama said that the late President was presented with a cow by the Namibian government when he paid a state visit to Namibia in August last year. He said President Mills took note of the special Namibian Brahman breed and decided to buy a few more for the University of Ghana for research purposes and also for breeding.
His Excellency the President said he was happy that the cows could be presented to the University of Ghana’s Agricultural Research Centre in line with the late President’s wish. He called on the good people of Ghana to take advantage of such valuable introductions from further afield in order to improve upon what we have locally for the benefit of society.
In response, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, Professor Ernest Aryeetey, thanked the President for the donation and said that the University is committed to undertake research for the development of the country. He said through the research of the Brahman breed, he was hopeful that it would result in the introduction of a new breed into the country.
University of Ghana officials accompanying the Vice-Chancellor to receive the donation were the Provost of the College of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences, Prof. Kwame Offei, Director of the Institute of Agricultural Research, Prof. Macarius Yangyuoru, Head of the Livestock and Poultry Research Centre, Dr. A. Naazie and the Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Stella A. Amoa.
The Brahman breed of cows exhibit high feed performance and high sporting agility. Compared to the local breed, they have a higher production rate in terms of meat and milk.
Their new home will be the University’s Livestock and Poultry Research Centre.
The Livestock and Poultry Research Centre, Legon (LIPREC, Legon) was established in 1953 and is approximately 15 kilometres from the main University campus at Legon. It covers an area 439.54 hectares and focuses on livestock and poultry research and production (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, guinea fowls and ostrich) and integration of crops for the development of ecologically sustainable production packages for farmers.
A centre of excellence for research and training of students, agricultural professionals and farmers, LIPREC’s vision is to solve problems of livestock and poultry production.
Its mission is to provide an excellent environment for the conduction of research into livestock and poultry for the advancement of Ghana’s agriculture and to offer practical training to students, agricultural professionals and farmers for cost-effective and ecologically sustainable livestock production.
