Over 200,000 poultry including local fowls, exotic birds, guinea fowls, turkeys, and ducks across the Savannah, North East, and Upper East Regions have been vaccinated to combat Newcastle Disease; one of the most devastating viral infections affecting poultry.
The vaccination campaign was carried out by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) with funding from the European Union (EU).
Implemented under the EU-funded Food Security Response in Northern Ghana Project, the vaccination campaign strengthened the capacity of 70 MoFA officers and field technicians in farmer mobilization, poultry health awareness, and vaccination delivery.
In a statement issued in Tamale, the FAO said, “The initiative aims to safeguard rural livestock, improve food security and nutrition, and enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers.”
It quoted Mr Rune Skinnebach, EU Ambassador to Ghana as saying, “The successful vaccination of over 200,000 birds is a testament to our shared commitment with the people of Northern Ghana.”
It added that Mr Skinnebach said “Protecting livestock is a direct investment in food security and the economic resilience of smallholder farmers. This initiative forms a crucial pillar of our comprehensive support to build a more food-secure future for the region.”
Newcastle disease is a highly contagious viral infection that affects domestic and wild birds causing respiratory distress, reduced egg production and high mortality rates.
In Ghana, the disease has led to significant economic losses for farmers and threatens food and nutrition security, especially amongst rural households that depend on poultry as a major source of food and income.
The statement said, “The vaccination exercise was conducted in many districts and communities targeted by the project and focusing on inclusive community engagement and awareness creation.”
It said “Women, persons with disabilities and youth farmers were particularly targeted to prevent losses in livestock and enhance food security amongst these groups.”
The statement quoted Madam Priya Gujadhur, the FAO Representative in Ghana as saying “Protecting the poultry sector means protecting livelihoods, nutrition and hope for rural families. Through this campaign, FAO is ensuring that communities, especially women and youth have the knowledge and resources to safeguard their flocks and strengthen food security in the long term.”
It further quoted Foster Batom, a lead farmer in the Sigma Community as saying “Last year, many of us in this community lost our poultry to disease because vaccines weren’t available. This year, thanks to FAO and the veterinary officers, who came to vaccinate our birds, we’re hopeful that our poultry will stay healthy.”
The statement said “Through this campaign, FAO and its partners continue to promote animal health, food security, and sustainable livelihoods in the northern part of the country and ensuring that rural poultry production remained a vital pillar for nutrition and economic growth.
