National Workshop Held in Ghana to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance
Strengthening institute cross-sectoral collaboration, public-private partnership, communication among stakeholders and information sharing
The government of Ghana, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), organized a national workshop to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the food and agriculture sector. The workshop brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including the Ministries of Food and Agriculture, Health, Fisheries, and the Environment, as well as the private sector.
The aim of the workshop was to evaluate the implementation of the Ghana National Action Plan on AMR and various AMR activities using the FAO's Progressive Management Pathway on Antimicrobial Resistance (PMP-AMR) tool. The PMP-AMR tool is designed to assist countries in developing and implementing a "One Health" National Action Plan to combat AMR with a focus on the food and agriculture sectors.
During the workshop, participants assessed the progress of the implementation of the Ghana National Action Plan on AMR and identified short- and medium-term actions to improve the level of implementation of the plan. They also identified key and priority actions to support the effective mobilization of financial resources from different partners.
The workshop recommended a situation analysis using the PMP-AMR tool to improve Ghana's capacity to design and implement policy frameworks, investment plans, and programs related to AMR. This assessment brought together public and private stakeholders and allowed for consensus building on the steps to improve AMR management.
Dr Irene Ouoba, AMR Coordinator for FAO Africa Region, emphasized the need for a "One Health" approach to managing AMR. She stated that the misuse of antimicrobials promotes the emergence and spread of microorganisms that become resistant to them, and this contributes to seriously compromising food safety, food security, and sustainable economic development.
Dr Saviour Yevutsey, Head of the National AMR Secretariat, Ghana, said the FAO PMP tool is very robust and useful and has come at a time when Ghana is taking a general review of the AMR NAP implementation in all sectors.
The government of Ghana is committed to combating AMR and has developed a National Action Plan on AMR in line with the WHO Global Action Plan to combat AMR. The workshop is part of the government's efforts to improve the plan's implementation and build capacity in the areas of intervention related to AMR communication/awareness, evidence, good practices, and governance in Ghana.