FAO Advances Animal Health Capacity with Third ISAVET Training Cohort in Ghana

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) of Ghana and with support from the Pandemic Fund, has launched the third cohort of the Frontline In-Service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) in Ghana. The programme strengthens the capacity of frontline veterinary professionals to prevent, detect, and respond to animal health threats, safeguarding livelihoods, animal health, public health and food safety

Over the course of four months, trainees gain hands-on experience in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, and emergency response, while developing skills across 14 core veterinary epidemiology competencies. The training also promotes One Health collaboration, sustainable national training systems through mentorship, and stronger networks among stakeholders for improved preparedness against emerging infectious and transboundary animal diseases. Hosted in Koforidua in the Eastern Region, the 2025 cohort brings together 25 trainees from the Republic of Ghana and two from The Gambia, reflecting ISAVET’s growing regional reach and commitment to cross-border collaboration.

Speaking on behalf of the FAO Representative to Ghana, Ms. Priya Gujadhur, the country team lead for the FAO Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Disease, Garba Ahmed said, “Strengthening veterinary epidemiology capacity is critical to early disease detection and effective response. Through ISAVET, FAO is supporting countries to build resilient animal health systems that protect livelihoods, food security, and public health,”.

“This programme equips our veterinary officers with practical, field-based epidemiological skills that directly enhance disease surveillance and response. Our collaboration with FAO continues to strengthen Ghana’s preparedness for animal and zoonotic disease threats,” said Danso Fenteng, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer of Ghana.

About ISAVET

The ISAVET programme combines structured classroom instruction with hands-on, field-based practical assignments, enabling participants to apply epidemiological concepts and tools directly within their professional settings. Delivered over four months, it comprises four weeks of intensive classroom, covering 40 modules related to surveillance, outbreak investigation, and emergency response, followed by three months of mentored, home-based field projects. During fieldwork, trainees develop projects addressing local animal health priorities and present their findings to district authorities. This blended learning approach, veterinarians strengthen their capacity in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation, data analysis, and risk communication, ensuring that knowledge gained translates into tangible improvements in frontline animal health services.

The programme is closely aligned with national and regional priorities on animal health management, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and pandemic prevention and preparedness. By equipping frontline veterinary professionals with practical epidemiological skills, ISAVET supports early detection and rapid response to animal disease threats, reduces the risk of zoonotic disease spillover, and contributes to more resilient animal health systems. In doing so, the programme advances the One Health agenda by promoting coordinated action across animal, human, and environmental health sectors, strengthening Ghana’s and the sub-region’s collective capacity to safeguard animal health, livelihoods, food security, and public health.