FAO, Government of Ghana Sign a Technical Cooperation Project to stamp out the spread of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza from Ghana
January 26, 2016, Accra, Ghana- The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Government of Ghana have stepped up efforts to ensure the eradication of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) from Ghana.
The two have signed a TCP that seeks to control the current outbreak of HPAI disease in the affected regions within the country and mitigate the risk of its spread to disease-free areas of the country as well as other countries in the West African sub-region.
The technical support will focus on capacity strengthening interventions, in particular on training of field officers in current and state-of-the-art techniques for HPAI surveillance and investigations, including to improve the veterinary services laboratory; provide HPAI control materials and equipment; train poultry producers, traders and other stakeholders on disease recognition, biosecurity and best practices; and facilitate cross boarder consultations, among others.
This is the second time Ghana is experiencing the outbreak of the HPAI, since the first in 2006. The recent outbreak was formally reported in May 2015 and further confirmed in June 2015, after reports of similar outbreaks in other West African countries, namely Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Niger, and Nigeria.
“The spread of the disease required an upsurge in counter-epizootic measures to control it” said Dr. Abebe Haile Gabriel, FAO Representative to Ghana and Deputy Regional Representative for Africa,
The project will further contribute towards the safe-guarding of food security and food safety, strengthening resilience and the protection of public health in the country and the region at large, stated Dr. Abebe.
The Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture in charge of livestock, Hon. Hanna Louisa Bisiw, was very appreciative of the FAO for the support since the first outbreak in 2006, stating that the gesture further strengthens the partnership between the FAO and the Government of Ghana in the fight for a common goal.