Northern Ghana has had significant difficulties in providing animal health care, particularly in the weaker rural populations.
Nearly every family in northern Ghana's rural areas raises native breeds of poultry, small ruminants (sheep, goats), and other animals, yet the majority of these livestock keepers lack access to reasonably priced preventative veterinary treatment.
Despite the fact that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) is required to offer technical veterinary services to livestock keepers in communities, the problem is that the majority of these veterinary officers lack the resources and capacity to assist all livestock keepers in the communities.
The Ghana Poultry Network (GAPNET), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) with financial backing from the United Kingdom, has taken a significant step towards resolving this urgent issue (UK) In the Builsa North Municipality in the Upper East Region, 30 Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) have received training from the Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs.
The recipients—21 ladies and 9 males—were chosen with care from places like Deborinsa, Wiaga-Tandema, Wiaga-Kpadema, Wiaga-Wabilinsa, Kandema-Gaadema, Kalijiisa, Bubolizugu, Siniensi-Abisiyeri, and Siniensi-Yikpieng.
It was a component of a three-year initiative, from 2023 to 2026, to train 90 CAHWs in the Builsa North, Builsa South, and Kubori-Yagaba.
With assistance for one-health (animal, human, and environmental) programmes, the ultimate goal of the CAHWs' training and activities is to promote the economic and social well-being of the poorest, most marginalised individuals, especially women and girls.
Each participant received a mobile phone with the Food and Agriculture Organization Event Mobile Application (EMA-I) pre-installed, basic veterinary medications, and a bicycle to improve the delivery of animal health services in the various communities at the conclusion of the programme.
Together with a certificate of participation, they were given vaccination flasks, carrier bags, and other tools and equipment that would help them execute their job.
selection of a municipality
Gloria Essel, the project's national coordinator, stated in a speech at the conclusion of the training last Friday that the municipality's huge cattle population was the primary factor in the decision.
"Unquestionably, the animals in the municipality met the essential requirements for livelihoods and food security," she added "The people living with the animals will also be safeguarded from zoonotic illnesses after the health of the animals is cared for through vaccination and deworming," she said.
As she highlighted, "another reason for the project in the region is the insufficient health services delivery in this area with a big livestock and poultry population." "Clearly this is the one health approach which GAPNET is fulfilling via the project," she said.
Supervision
She assured us that GAPNET would properly oversee and keep an eye on the work of the trained CAHWs in order to ensure that there would be enough notification of all animal ailments at the local level to the veterinary officials.
"By doing so, CAHWs will greatly contribute to the country's animal health monitoring system," she said, adding that "this would fulfil the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (DEFRA's) aim of enhancing Ghana's animal health systems."
Many people rely on cattle and other animals for their survival, according to Dr. Garba Maina Ahmed, Country Team Head of the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases, FAO. It is crucial that these animals remain healthy at all times for the owners.
Because of this, he stated, "the role you will play as CAHWs is highly vital and crucial towards the survival of the creatures under your care."
He said that the initiative has drawn a lot of interest from around the country as a result of its emphasis on assisting the few veterinary officers in the nation in their duties.
He recommended the recipients to work hard since it was a chance for them to learn more and get interested in the veterinary profession.
Dr. Henry Nii Ayi Anang, the Upper East Regional Veterinary Officer, lamented the actions of several quacks, whose practises had caused the area significant concern.
He was pleased, though, that when more CAHWs are trained in the area, such charlatans will be expelled from the system to save the animals.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0