The government’s efforts to strengthen veterinary services and animal health systems in Ghana have received a significant boost following the handover of vehicles, motorcycles, ICT equipment and laboratory supplies by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the Pandemic Fund Project.
The intervention, which falls under the One Health initiative, is aimed at improving disease surveillance, outbreak response, laboratory diagnosis and overall veterinary service delivery across the country.
The items handed over at a ceremony in Accra included 20 Toyota Hilux four-wheel-drive pickup vehicles, 261 motorcycles, 115 laptop computers, 110 tablet devices, 90 desktop computers, laboratory reagents and diagnostic kits, field sampling materials, personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as the rehabilitation of six veterinary laboratories nationwide.
Speaking at the event, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, described the support as a strategic investment in Ghana’s health security, food security, agricultural productivity and economic resilience.
According to him, the intervention demonstrates the strong partnership between the Government of Ghana and FAO in strengthening the country’s animal health systems and preparedness against future disease outbreaks.
Hon. Eric Opoku, Minister, Food and Agriculture
“Today’s handover is not merely a presentation of vehicles, motorcycles, laboratory equipment and consumables. It is an investment in Ghana’s health security, food security, agricultural productivity and economic resilience,” the Minister stated.
Hon. Opoku expressed appreciation to FAO for its continued support to Ghana’s agricultural sector and acknowledged the contributions of the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank through the Pandemic Fund, and other development partners for supporting the successful implementation of the programme.
He explained that the project complements government’s broader agenda of strengthening agricultural policies, improving food security, promoting sustainable livestock and crop production, enhancing fisheries and aquaculture, building climate resilience and reinforcing national animal health systems.
The Minister further noted that the project builds on the successful rollout of the FAO Event Mobile Application (EMA-i+), which was launched last year to improve real-time digital reporting of animal disease outbreaks across the country.
While the digital reporting platform has enhanced disease monitoring and reporting, Hon. Opoku said the additional logistics and laboratory equipment will now enable veterinary officers to respond more effectively and swiftly to outbreaks in both urban and rural communities.
He stressed that strengthening veterinary services remains critical because many emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases originate from animals, making investments in animal health essential to protecting public health, safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods and ensuring national food security.
As part of the distribution plan, the Minister disclosed that 16 of the 20 Toyota Hilux pickup vehicles would be allocated to the Regional Veterinary Offices across Ghana’s 16 regions, while the remaining four vehicles would support operations at the Veterinary Services Directorate headquarters.
In addition, the 261 motorcycles will be distributed to district veterinary offices nationwide to improve the mobility of frontline veterinary officers involved in disease surveillance, outbreak investigations and rapid emergency response activities.
Hon. Opoku also highlighted the importance of the ICT equipment package, which includes 115 laptops, 110 tablets and 90 desktop computers.
According to him, the devices will strengthen animal disease surveillance systems, improve data collection and reporting, facilitate communication between district and national veterinary offices, and support evidence-based decision-making in line with President John Dramani Mahama’s digitalisation agenda.
He added that the project further includes the supply of laboratory reagents, diagnostic kits, field sampling materials and personal protective equipment to enhance disease diagnosis, surveillance and biosafety standards in veterinary operations.
The rehabilitation of six veterinary laboratories under the project is also expected to improve Ghana’s capacity to detect and manage animal diseases promptly, thereby reducing the risk of transmission to humans and protecting the country’s livestock industry.
The Minister revealed that the items being symbolically handed over were procured following the release of the first tranche of funding under the Pandemic Fund Project.
Under the arrangement, FAO is implementing the animal health component of the programme, while WHO is leading the implementation of the human health component.
Hon. Eric Opoku reaffirmed Government’s commitment to working closely with development partners to build a resilient veterinary and animal health system capable of protecting livestock, improving public health and strengthening Ghana’s agricultural sector against future disease threats.
He expressed confidence that the intervention would significantly enhance Ghana’s preparedness and response to zoonotic diseases while improving the efficiency of veterinary services delivery nationwide.
By 1960news.com
