Signed: .........................................

(on behalf of the Government)
Date of signature: ............................

 

Signed: ..............................................
Jacques Diouf
Director-General
(on behalf of FAO)
Date of signature: .................................

 

I. Background and justification:

Ghana has been surrounded by ASF infected countries since 1996 and despite that, Veterinary Services managed prevention of ASF infection through strengthening epidemio-surveillance along its borders, strict border controls, massive public sensitisation campaigns through the media and workshops, carrying out routine sero-surveys and an intensive clinical surveillance. It is due to above activities and a strong Early Warning Capacity that have enabled he Veterinary authorities in Ghana to detect the current outbreak at an early stage. Although the source of infection of ASF in Ghana has not yet been determined it should be noted that several countries in the region have suffered from ASF epidemics in recent years.

Small commercial pig units have been developed in peri-urban situations in many parts of Ghana in the last 10 years. Extensive free ranging pigs are a livestock component of increasing importance to subsistence village farming in this region of West Africa and are an essential element of the food security especially of the poor farmers. In Ghana like many West African countries, women are the owners of the pigs and play a major role in their feeding and management. The importance of the pigs in short cycle livestock production system is increasing in the region.

Ghana has a pig population of approximately 450,000.It is estimated that 100,000 pigs are at immediate risk in the infected areas. If action is not taken immediately for the eradication of this infection, it could take epidemic proportions even threatening once again the large pig industry in C�te d'Ivoire and affecting the food security in the Region. According to the recent reports the disease is confined to clusters of smallholder pig farms located within a radius of 45 kilometres from Accra and Tema Metropolitan areas of the Greater Accra Region. Also in Bawjiase, a town in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya district of the Central Region of Ghana where traditional breeding system ( backyard type and scavenging pigs) is practised.

African swine fever is a highly contagious virus disease of pigs, which is characterised by a 95-100% mortality in the epidemics. Pig populations may be wiped out in a matter of weeks. There is no vaccine available. It has a natural maintenance cycle in soft ticks and wild or domestic pigs in East and South Africa, but this has not been found in West Africa. The African soft tick (Ornithodorous moubata porcinus) does not occur in West Africa. The ASF virus occurs in high concentrations in virtually all tissues and secretions of infected pigs. It is resistant to inactivation in pig tissues where it persists for long periods of time after death, and in the environment. All infected carcasses and processed pig products may contain the virus and serve to extend the range of the disease when the food wastes enter the animal food chain. The direct and indirect contact with infected pigs or pig products accounts for virtually all the transmission of infection during epidemics of the disease.

At the end of October, the Government of Ghana started to implement the following measures aimed at controlling the spread of ASF:

Movement of pigs within, into and out of the Greater Accra and Central Regions is banned.

Slaughter of pigs in the Greater Accra region and Awutu-Efutu- Senya, Gomoa and Agona- Swedru Districts of the Central Region has been banned.

Movement of pork or pig products within, into and out of the Ga District, Accra and Tema Metropolitan Areas and the Awutu-Effutu - Senya Districts has been banned.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has made an appeal to pig farmers, butchers, meat shop owners, meat processors and the general public to cooperate with the Ministry in its efforts to control the disease. All security agencies, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union of the TUC, the general public have been urgently requested to assist the ministry to enforce these control measures. Meanwhile all pig farmers in Ghana have been strongly advised through the media to report immediately the presence of any strange disease among their pigs to the nearest Ministry of Food and Agriculture staff in his or her locality or district.

The Veterinary Services Directorate has established three monitoring teams - one each for the affected areas of Awoshie/Bubuashie; Ashiaman and Awutu Bawjiase. Each team is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the ban imposed to contain the situation. The police are involved in the enforcement of the ban.

The Government of Ghana believes that it lacks the resources and technical capacity to implement fully the required eradication programme without the assistance it has requested from FAO under its Technical Co-operation Programme. This assistance is required in order to:

1. Eradicate the disease by identifying infected areas, assisting the government to implement the slaughter policy, establish immediate reaction capabilities for ASF control and eradication in the affected areas in Ghana to prevent further spread to other ASF free neighbouring countries.

2. Increase awareness and preparedness amongst the concerned authorities and farmers; establish improved levels of early warning and reaction capability.

3. Develop a level of communication infrastructure and information exchange for co-ordination of disease control activities involving the RAF/EMPRES unit.

4. Formulate the action plan for control and eradication of ASF and other trans-boundary diseases of pigs, which can have a negative impact on pig production and food security in the country.

This is to be achieved by extending the principles of Early Warning and Early Rapid Reaction to the National Veterinary Services.

The proposed project will contribute in containing, controlling and eradicating the disease, establishing an early warning and rapid reaction capability, enforcing ASF free status and assisting the Government in upgrading the capability in surveillance and monitoring of the emergency diseases, particularly ASF.

The project is very relevant to food security as it concerns a short cycle species, which is important both in terms of production and commerce. ASF is a major constraint to swine production and eradication is a pre-requisite for its development. However, the project does not relate formally to the current phase of the Special Programme for Food Security in Ghana which concentrates on water control in the context of food crop production but it will relate to the diversification phase.

II. Objective of the Assistance

The main objective of the project is to assist the Government of Ghana in stamping out the present outbreaks of ASF in order to stop any further spread of the disease, build up capacity for effective surveillance of the disease, build up adequate capacity (particularly the establishment of an emergency preparedness capability) to react quickly to any future outbreaks should they occur, and to promote development projects to be implemented by the private sector.

III. Project Outputs

The principal outputs of the project will be:

� Output 1: The present outbreaks of African Swine Fever controlled and the disease eradicated in parts of the Greater Accra and Central regions of Ghana, and elsewhere if the disease has spread.


� Output 2: Increased awareness of the disastrous nature of the disease and the impact of the emergency among all stakeholders (particularly Ministry of Food and Agriculture staff, private sector veterinarians, pig farmers, traders, butchers, meat processors, etc.).

� Output 3: Increased awareness of how to prevent introduction of the disease into piggeries through education of all stakeholders, particularly pig farmers.

� Output 4: Epidemiological surveillance of ASF improved (Early Warning) including definition of the infected area through disease search and definition improved through ensured mobility of surveillance agents in high risk areas.

� Output 5: Capacity of Accra Veterinary laboratory to diagnose ASF and perform serosurveillance established.

� Output 6: Emergency preparedness (Rapid Reaction) capability strengthened for the control/eradication of ASF.

IV. Workplan (see Annex 1 for summary table)

Lacking a vaccine to prevent infection in swine exposed to infection, the keys to ASF containment, control and eradication in Ghana are:

�� The rapid epidemiological definition of primary and secondary infected areas.

� Their elimination by compulsory slaughter and compensation.

� Implementation of effective zoosanitary procedures to constrain the spread of infection from primary and secondary outbreak areas through the movement of infected swine (domesticated, feral or wild), swine products and disease vectors.


� Rapid detection and elimination of any outbreaks caused when such movements have evaded control procedures through enhanced emergency preparedness.


� Mopping up of any areas of residual chronic infection.


� Timely and controlled restocking to pre-empt uncontrolled movement of breeding stock which could bring with them disease.


� Risk analysis to guide the implementation of preventive measures to guard against the immediate risk of further introductions of infection.

The project's workplan and related inputs are therefore designed to:

1. Assist with defining the infected areas so that control actions can be targeted accurately for rapid elimination of active disease.


2. Provide technical guidance for and assist with implementation of zoosanitary procedures to bring about rapid eradication of the primary infected areas.


3. Assist with enhancing ASF surveillance to detect and rapidly define secondary outbreaks resulting from the likely spread of infection from the primary outbreak areas.


4. Provide technical guidance for and assist with the implementation of zoosanitary procedures to bring about rapid eradication of the secondary infected areas.


5. Provide technical guidance for and assist in the implementation of surveillance techniques to detect areas of resual chronic infection which could lead to a resurgence of disease after elimination of primary and secondary foci.


6. Provide technical guidance for and assist in the implementation of zoosanitary procedures to bring about rapid eradication of any areas of residual infection.


7. Provide technical guidance for and assist in the implementation of procedures to demonstrate renewed freedom from disease, including the use of sentinel herds to demonstrate that restocking can proceed safely.


8. Provide technical guidance for analysing and defining the risks of further introductions of ASF from outside the country.


9. Provide technical guidance to assist with the strengthening of risk avoidance procedures and emergency preparedness for further outbreaks associated with the source(s) of the current emergency and other sources posing an immediate risk.

� Output 1: The present outbreaks of African Swine Fever controlled and the disease eradicated in parts of the Greater Accra and Central regions of Ghana, and elsewhere if the disease, has spread.

Activities:

� Ensure community ownership of the eradication programme by educating pig owners and other stakeholders in outbreak areas on the zoosanitary requirements for effective control emphasising the need to destroy all infected and in-contact pigs.


� Mount an extension/communication programme.


� Establish contact between the public sector, professional organisations and private sector to provide an enabling environment for management of the emergency and recovery from it - to include development of a fund for essential control and restocking activities.


� Provide technical guidance for control, surveillance, verification of freedom and restocking logistics.


� Solicit assistance from security agencies to carry out stamping out policy.


� Implement without delay the stamping-out policy with the help of security agencies.


� Slaughter and bury with lime all infected and in-contact pigs in infected areas.


� Rigidly enforce order on no movement of pigs and pig products within, in and out of infected areas.


� Rigidly enforce order on no slaughter of pigs for human consumption in infected areas

� Output 2: Increased awareness of the disastrous nature of the disease and the impact of the emergency among all stakeholders (particularly Ministry of Food and Agriculture staff, private sector veterinarians, pig farmers, traders, butchers, meat processors, etc.).

Activities:

� Organise through in-country training district workshops for pig farmers, butchers, traders and field staff of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture on the disease and mounting an extension/communication programme.

� Output 3: Increased awareness of how to prevent introduction of the disease into piggeries through education of all stakeholders, particularly pig farmers.

Activity:

� Organise through in-country training district workshops for pig farmers, butcher, traders and staff of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture on the disease and mounting an extension/communication programme.

� Output 4: Epidemiological surveillance of ASF improved (Early Warning) including definition of the infected area through disease search and definition facilitated by ensured mobility of surveillance agents in high risk areas and effective timely disease reporting.

Activities:

� Organise training sessions for the staff of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture through a workshop on the recognition and diagnosis of ASF (clinical and necropsy), in disease investigation and in the preparation and timely submission of reports.


� Develop and implement communication campaigns for the pig farmers, pig traders and butchers.


� Organise collection and submission of samples for testing at LANADA, Bingerville, C�te d'Ivoire.


� Set up a programme for the surveillance of ASF in those areas considered to be at greatest risk - this must extend to village level via existing extension or administrative services, including active village searches for disease.


� Assist to design a reporting and notification system from the field to the central NVS epidemiologists and OIE.


� Strengthen the national epidemiological unit's capacity for collation and analysis of disease data (disease outbreak and serosurveillance data) using national and FAO central mapping units (Accra and Rome) to plot evolution of the ASF disease situation in Ghana in relation to that in the region.


� Strengthen channels for information exchange on ASF within the sub-region (e-mail, fax), along the lines suggested by the recent EMPRES Expert Consultation (June 1999, FAO, Rome).

� Output 5: Capacity of Accra Veterinary laboratory to diagnose ASF and perform serosurveillance established.

Activities:

� Provide equipment and reagents for the Accra laboratory for basic ASF diagnosis techniques (Direct Immuno-fluorescence and ELISA).

� Train the laboratory staff (at the regional reference laboratory and in-situ) in the routine diagnosis of ASF and serosurveillance techniques.

� Output 6: Emergency preparedness (Rapid Reaction) capability strengthened for the control/eradication of ASF.

Activities:

� Provide guidelines for ASF Contingency Planning to guide national decision making.


� Provide an interactive multimedia training package for professional staff and decision makers in emergency preparedness and contingency planning to enable professional development and strengthen national capacity.


� Draw up a Contingency Plan (Action plan) against ASF within the context of National Animal Disease Emergency Preparedness Planning.

V. Capacity Building

Field and headquarters staff of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture as well as other stakeholders will be trained in how to recognise ASF and report any suspicious signs immediately. Ghanaian veterinarians will do the training after having been trained themselves. Laboratory technical staff of the Accra Diagnostic Laboratory will be trained in the laboratory diagnosis and serosurveillance techniques at the regional reference laboratory (LANADA, Bingerville) with follow-up in-country. The national capacity in disease surveillance and the design and implementation of emergency control procedures will be strengthened.

VI. Inputs to be Provided by Fao

Personnel ( see TOR's in Annex 2)

Provision of the required technical guidance and training will be met from a combination of international consultants to the minimum extent considered essential, partnership programme expertise and specialist expertise with backstopping provided by the Animal Production and Health Division of FAO from FAO Headquarters and the Regional Office in Accra.

International Consultants/Experts (US$ 33 000)

1. International Consultant - ASF Eradication (1 mission of 2 weeks) - (US$ 10 000).

2. International Consultant - Risk analysis (2 missions each of 3 weeks) - (US$ 23 000).

FAO Advisory Technical Services (ATS) (US$ 22 500)

In addition to continuous, uncharged technical inputs made to the project in all areas of project implementation, the needed specific technical advisory services will be supplied by FAO Headquarters Animal Production and Health Division professional officers. FAO has a considerable comparative advantage in these fields and it is the most appropriate manner in which to provide technical advice within a continuum of professional technical involvement in ASF control in the region.

1. FAO Headquarters Animal Health Service/EMPRES Expert in ASF Epidemiology/Control/Disease Data Management - (2 missions each of one week) (US$ 15 000).

2. FAO Headquarters Animal Production Service Swine Production Expert to advise on establishing sentinel herds and restocking (1 mission of 2 weeks) (US$ 7 500).

International Expertise Under Partnership Programmes (TCDC) (US$ 31 000)

1. ASF Laboratory Diagnosis (6 weeks in 2 missions) (US$ 12 000).

2. ASF Eradication Strategist (8 weeks in 2 missions) (US$ 16 000).

3. Contractual Service Agreement (Author's Contract) for producing guidelines on ASF Contingency Planning and Compulsory Slaughter (US$ 3 000).

Supervisory Technical Services (US$ 20 000)

(1) FAO Regional Office, Accra, Animal Health Officer (1 mission of 2 weeks).

In addition to standard supervisory work, the Regional Animal Health Officer will specifically assess the efficacy of project implementation and its impact through extensive travel in-country, will advise on action needed to address any deficits and will promote sustainability of project outcomes through discussions with all stakeholders in Ghana, including other international organisations, donors and NGOs who might be involved in issues such as restocking and emergency preparedness.

(2) FAO Headquarters Animal Health Service (2 weeks in 2 missions).

An Animal Health Officer specialist in emergency preparedness procedures will monitor and guide the planning and implementation of emergency preparedness procedures incorporating disease intelligence generated during implementation of the project.

Official Travel: (US$ 5 000)

� Official Travel within Ghana by project personnel (US$ 5 000).

Contracts: (US$ 30 000) (Annex 3)

� Contract with an Institution to produce a multi-media training module on emergency preparedness and contingency planning against ASF (US$ 30 000).

A UK-based company (a member of the AVIS Consortium of which FAO was a founder member) with proven, unique expertise in producing computer-based, multimedia, interactive, modules for technology transfer will be contracted to generate the module. It will bring together expertise from the FAO Collaborating Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa) and the best available ASF technical expertise and experience (retired experts) from European Institutes as authors and technical advisors and compile all the technical elements into the interactive computer-based format. The finished training package will be made available on CD-ROM and diskettes for use by national staff.

The outputs from this contract and the author's contract under the partnership programme will form a sound technical basis for technical development aimed at eradicating ASF during project implementation, preventing its ingress and coping with emergencies arising. The resultant technical development itself will contribute to sustaining the outcomes of the project.

General Operating Expenses (GOE): (US$ 14 511)

General Operating Expenses are needed to facilitate the rapid strengthening of ASF surveillance, disease event reporting and rapid reaction teams by ensuring particularly that there are no constraints to the mobility of surveillance and control staff. Other important elements relate to rapid confirmation and differential diagnosis of ASF outbreaks, characterisation of virus isolates as an aide to determining the source of infection.

� Support for active surveillance for ASF field services, fuel and lubricants, vehicle maintenance (US$ 10 000).

� Cost of submitting samples to and testing by the Regional Reference Laboratory (LANADA) and other reference laboratories, etc. (US$ 2 000).

� Processing the Terminal Statement (US$ 1 000).

� Miscellaneous expenses related to national disease surveillance and training activities - stationery, writing materials, notebooks, reporting forms, telecommunications, photocopier paper etc. (US$ 1 000).

Materials and Supplies: (US$ 43 000)

The materials and supplies are needed to strengthen community ownership of the programme; strengthen technical awareness of veterinary technicians and those engaged in swine rearing and trading; facilitate laboratory diagnosis of ASF so that outbreaks of disease can be confirmed as ASF; facilitate disease control; and, strengthen surveillance.

� protective clothing and disinfectants for use by disease control teams carrying out stamping-out orders in infected foci (US$ 4 000)

� diagnostic reagents, media and consumables for use in the laboratorydiagnosis of ASF (US$ 5 000)

� consumable materials and sample containers for field sample collection, storage and transport for confirmation of ASF outbreaks and serosurveillance for detecting residual foci of chronic infection (US$ 5 000)

� production of posters, leaflets, videos for community sensitisation on issues related to disease prevention, containment, control and elimination to ensure public ownership of the programme (US$ 5 000)

� editing and printing of `Recognising ASF' field manuals for sensitisation of veterinary staff, veterinary auxiliaries, swine raisers and traders (US$ 5 000)

� editing and printing of `ASF Contingency Planning Manual' for sensitisation of national and decentralised veterinary staff, policy makers and decision takers to guide government policy (US$ 5 000)

� field tools for slaughter and carcass disposal(US$ 4 000)

� sentinel pigs - a limited number of pigs for setting up sentinel herds to verify freedom from infection and embark on restocking (200 weaned grower pigs @ US$ 50 = US$ 10 000)

Equipment: (ANNEX 4) US$ 57 000.

The equipment is needed to mount surveillance programmes effectively and to establish laboratory diagnosis and serosurveillance for ASF.

� Motor-cycles (10 @ US$ 2 500) (US$ 25 000).

Ensured mobility is the most essential single element in mounting disease surveillance programmes which must rely heavily on disease search activities in infected and high risk areas. Recent experience has shown that motor cycles are a most effective means of providing the required mobility and are considered essential for the effective implementation of the project. One ASF surveillance operator and motor cycle is required for each of the outbreak districts and those at high risk.

� Global Positioning System (GPS) units (10 @ US$ 500 = US$ 5 000)

The recording of georeferenced disease data is of paramount importance in mounting effective disease surveillance programmes, mapping the outbreak data generated and in emergency control procedures where scarce resources have to be targeted precisely and rapidly for effective control. They are a standard tool for field use in emergency (as well as non-emergency) situations. One GPS unit will be provided to each of the ASF surveillance operators.

� Laboratory equipment-ELISA Reader and Attachments (US$ 12 000)

This is an indispensable item for the laboratory serological testing required for ASF surveillance.

� Fluorescent Microscope, Filters, electricity stabiliser, and other accessories (US$ 15 000)

This is an indispensable item for the laboratory testing required in the laboratory diagnostic confirmation of ASF.

Training: US$ 25 000 (see Annex 5 for details)

Training is required to be focussed at several areas to increase professional capacity in ASF recognition and surveillance, community ownership of the eradication programme and laboratory diagnosis. It will be conducted primarily at national and district level but training in diagnostic techniques is best performed using the facilities of a Regional Reference Laboratory in C�te d'Ivoire (Bingerville) which was set up by the Joint FAO/IAEA Division for the purpose inter alia of such training .

� Workshop on ASF Surveillance, Control and Eradication (Training of trainers)

In addition to in-country on-the-job training provided by the consultants, 1 Workshop is to be held in Accra for 20 selected veterinary personnel who will be enabled to pass on their training to others in the country (US$ 4 000).

� Workshops at Provincial and District Levels for stakeholders (6 Workshops @ US$ 2000 = US$ 12 000).

Six workshops each for at least 20 participants will be held by the national veterinary staff aided by those trained at the `training of trainers' workshop. These will target the highest risk areas and stakeholders in each province or district from the animal health, farming and trading communities, including the police involved in zoosanitary enforcement procedures. The workshops will enhance community awareness of the issues involved in ASF emergency prevention and control.

� Study Tour: 1 month study training on ASF diagnosis in Bingerville, C�te d'Ivoire

Establishing a diagnostic capacity for ASF requires considerable training in laboratory diagnostic test procedures involving cell culture, ELISA and immunofluorescent techniques. Two technical staff from the Accra laboratory will be trained for month during a study tour to the Regional Laboratory in Bingerville, C�te d'Ivoire (US$ 9 000).

VII. Reporting

There will be weekly reports from the field staff to the Directorate of Veterinary Services, who in turn will submit weekly progress reports to FAO/OIE with copies to Directors of Veterinary Services of countries in the sub-region. The National project Co-ordinator will submit weekly progress reports and a final report to FAO with copies to the OIE at the end of the project.

Each consultant will prepare a report at the end of each mission describing the work done, the major findings, conclusions and recommendations. They will provide inputs for a final technical report to be prepared by the Project Co-ordinator and Director Veterinary Services, Ghana.. The final technical report will give the main results, conclusions and recommendations at the end of the project. The National Project Co-ordinator will also prepare a draft terminal statement in accordance with TCP procedures, which will be reviewed by the lead technical division for finalisation at FAO HQ and submission to the Government upon completion of the project activities.

VIII. Government Contribution and Supporting Arrangements

The Government will provide all the necessary facilities and the logistics for the effective implementation of the project. It will facilitate the speedy clearance of all items to be imported (especially heat labile reagents) and allow their import without duty payments. The Government will appoint a National Project Co-ordinator and pay his/her salary as well as those of their nationals also involved in the project activities. The Government will support the costs of active clinical and laboratory surveillance, which is carried out within their country, and be responsible for the compensation after stamping out and provision of pigs for restocking.

Project Budget Covering FAO Inputs

(in US$)

Country: Ghana

Project Title: Emergency Asssistance to Eradicate African Swine Fever from Ghana.

Project Symbol: TCP/GHA/8925 (E)

1100 International Consultants/Experts 33 000

1200 FAO Advisory Technical Services 11 136

1800 International Expertise Under Partnership Programme (TCDC) 31 000

1900 Supervisory Technical Services 36 353

1910 Standard supervisory technical services, (7 500)

1920 Supervisory functions of the LTU (1 755)

1930 Field Missions (26 598)

1950 Evaluation (500)

Sub-Total Personnel 99 489

2000 Official Travel 5 000

3000 Contracts 30 000

4000 General Operating Expenses 14 511

5000 Materials and Supplies 43 000

6000 Equipment 57 000

7000 Direct Operating Costs 20 000

8000 Training 25 000

GRAND TOTAL 306 000

Annex 1: Project Implementation Plan

MONTHS

* Reporting will be weekly for the first three months and monthly thereafter. Xx = Final report

Annex 2.1

Terms of Reference

International Consultant - ASF Eradication

Duty Station: Ghana

Duration: 2 weeks (1 mission) during the first month of project implementation

Qualifications: An ASF expert experienced in different ASF patterns and environmental and socio-economic issues; well familiar with the concepts of early warning and early reaction as well as with active ASF field surveillance, control and eradication.

Duties: Under the direct supervision of the Chief, TCOR, and the technical supervision of the Chief, Animal Health Service, FAO Headquarters, and in close collaboration with the other Consultants, National Project Co-ordinator and counterparts, the incumbent will:

� Verify the epidemiological situation in Ghana.

� Assess national control and eradication measures implemented to date.

� Provide in-service training in disease investigation techniques, upstream and downstream tracing, emergency control management procedures and monitoring of progress.

� Assist in the development of early warning and emergency preparedness capacity within each affected area.

� Prepare a concise consultancy report according to applied FAO standards and submit it for clearance in Word 6.0 format (on diskette or as an attachment by e-mail).

Annex 2.2

Terms of Reference

International Consultant - Risk analysis

Duty station: Ghana

Duration: 1.5 months (2 missions each of 3 weeks) during months 2 and 5 of project implementation

Qualifications: Veterinary epidemiologist, familiar with ASF epidemiology in Africa and risk analysis (risk identification, risk avoidance, risk management and risk communication); experienced in working with national veterinary services on containing virgin epidemics.

Duties: Under the direct supervision of the Chief, TCOR, and the technical supervision of the Chief, Animal Health Service, FAO Headquarters, and in close collaboration with the project consultants, National Project Co-ordinator and counterparts, the incumbent will:

Mission 1

� Identify the proximate causes which have led to the recent ASF incursion into Ghana as well as any others which might precipitate a further invasion of disease.

� Guide the collection and collation of data required to study the farming systems extant in ASF outbreak areas and means of analysis with respect to the proximate causes of the spread of ASF.

� Make preliminary proposals for the mitigation of the various risk factors identified above which will lead to the control and ultimate eradication of ASF from Ghana.

� Suggest appropriate disease monitoring/surveillance techniques which will both serve as early warning/early detection mechanisms and as a means of verifying eradication.

� Give appropriate training, based on the studies and proposals mentioned above, to veterinary services staff of Ghana on the control, prevention and monitoring of ASF.

� Prepare a concise consultancy report according to applied FAO standard and submit it for clearance in Word 6.0 format (on diskette or as an attachment by e-mail).

Mission 2

� Study the data collated re farming systems extant in ASF outbreak areas and analyse them with respect to specific risk factors promoting the spread of ASF.

� Examine the various factors which have led to the recent ASF incursion into Ghana as well as any others which might precipitate a further invasion of disease.

� Make concrete proposals for the mitigation of the various risk factors identified above which will lead to the control and ultimate eradication of ASF from Ghana and clearly define what could be the consequences if the mitigation measures were not applied.

� Refine disease monitoring/surveillance techniques which will both serve as early warning/early detection mechanisms and as a means of verifying eradication.

� Continue appropriate training, based on the studies and proposals mentioned above, to veterinary services staff of Ghana on the control, prevention and monitoring of ASF.

� Prepare a concise consultancy report according to applied FAO standard and submit it for clearance in Word 6.0 format (on diskette or as an attachment by e-mail).

Annex 2.3

Terms of Reference

FAO Advisory Technical Services

(1) FAO Animal Health Service (Rome) - an EMPRES Officer expert in ASF epidemiology, disease investigation, control and disease data management

Duty station: Ghana

Duration: Two missions each of 1 week during months 3 and 8 of project implementation

Duties: The Animal Health Service EMPRES Officer will:

Mission 1

� Travel to areas of Ghana determined as priorities by the results of the ASF epidemiological status verification to assess the progress made in defining the ASF disease status and epidemiological situation in the country.

� Install the TAD Info disease data management system and guide national staff in its use for analysis of ASF outbreak reports to feed into disease control management.

� Advise on possible corrections/modifications of the Work Plan.

� Evaluate implementation of project activities re analysis of epidemiological studies and their impact on control activities.

Mission 2

� Monitor the progress of ASF epidemiological investigations.

� Assess the use of TAD Info data management and the use of the data generated in control management - provide guidance to national staff.

� Evaluate implementation of project activities as per the Work Plan, with particular emphasis on data management and its application.

� Advise on possible corrections/modifications of the Work Plan.

(2) FAO Animal Production Service (Rome) - a swine production expert

Duty station: Ghana

Duration: One mission of 2 weeks during month 6 of project implementation (or earlier if eradication progress dictates)

Duties: The Animal Production Service Officer will, in collaboration with national animal production, animal health service personnel and other stakeholders:

� Analyse the needs for the purchase of pigs to act as sentinels and for restocking.

� Identify in collaboration with the other consultants and stakeholders sources of appropriate replacement stock.

� Prepare a logistical plan for the purchasing, placement and maintenance of sentinel pigs.

� Report on his/her findings and recommendations.

Annex 2.4

Terms of Reference

International Expertise Under Partnership Programmes

TCDC Expert - ASF Laboratory Diagnosis

Duty station: Ghana

Duration: 1.5 months in 2 missions of 4 and 2 weeks during months 4 and 7 of project implementation

Qualifications: Veterinary scientist from LPA, Bingerville, C�te d'Ivoire - a laboratory diagnostician specialised in routine and referral diagnosis of samples for ASF virus/antigen detection, serological examination and related training.

Duties: Under the direct supervision of the Chief, TCOR, and the technical supervision of the Chief, Animal Health Service, FAO Headquarters, and in close collaboration with the National Project Co-ordinator, other Consultants, and counterparts, the incumbent will:

Mission 1

� Upgrade the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to enable it to conduct routine laboratory diagnosis of ASF.

� Provide in-service training in laboratory diagnostic procedures to ensure that the laboratory functions as a national diagnostic and serosurveillance centre.

� Develop an effective system of sample collection in Ghana and their submission to the Sub-regional Diagnostic Laboratory, C�te d'Ivoire, and other reference centres for confirmatory diagnosis and virus characterisation studies.

� Collect samples for confirmatory ASF diagnosis and strain characterisation.

� Perform any other related duties as required.

� Prepare a concise consultancy report according to applied FAO standards and submit it for clearance in Word 6.0 format (on diskette or as an attachment by e-mail).

Mission 2

� Backstop the performance of ASF diagnostic and serosurveillance testing at the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to ensure its efficient functioning at a level to meet the demands of the control programme.

� Provide further in-service training in ASF laboratory diagnostic procedures as required.

� Monitor and advise on the system of sample collection in Ghana and submission to the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the Sub-regional Diagnostic Laboratory, C�te d'Ivoire, and other reference centres for confirmatory diagnosis and virus characterisation studies.

� Perform any other related duties as required.

� Prepare a concise consultancy report according to applied FAO standards and submit it for clearance in Word 6.0 format (on diskette or as an attachment by e-mail).

Annex 2.5

Terms of Reference

TCDC Expert - ASF Eradication Strategist

Duty station: Ghana

Duration: 2 months in 2 missions of 1 month during months 2 and 5 of project implementation

Qualifications: Veterinary epidemiologist/control expert, familiar with disease surveillance for ASF in Africa; experienced in working with national veterinary services on containing virgin epidemics.

Duties: Under the direct supervision of the Chief, TCOR, and the technical supervision of the Chief, Animal Health Service, FAO Headquarters, and in close collaboration with the project consultants, National Project Co-ordinator and counterparts, the incumbent will, In addition to continuing the work started by the International Consultant:

Mission 1

� Participate in implementation of all project control activities and advise on the immediate control/eradication campaign against ASF in the project area ensuring continuity of guidelines elaborated by the international consultant with the national authorities.

� Co-operate with the National and International Personnel on the establishment of efficient emergency preparedness for ASF - effective early warning and rapid reaction.

� Establish a dialogue with the National Veterinary Services of Ghana on establishing a baseline of competence on ASF among the field staff of veterinary services, ASF emergency preparedness and effective implementation of the ASF information/public awareness campaign.

� Co-operate in developing an effective system of sample collection in Ghana and submission to the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the Sub-regional Diagnostic Laboratory, C�te d'Ivoire, and other international reference centres for confirmatory diagnosis and virus characterisation studies.

� Co-ordinate an effective ASF surveillance scheme in high risk areas - border areas, ports, markets etc.

� Prepare a concise consultancy report according to applied FAO standard and submit it for clearance in Word 6.0 format (on diskette or as an attachment by e-mail).

� Perform any other related duties as required.

Mission 2

� Monitor and continue to participate in implementation of all project control activities and advise on the immediate control/eradication campaign against ASF in the project area ensuring continuity of guidelines elaborated by the international consultant with the national authorities.

� Monitor with the National and International Personnel the establishment of efficient emergency preparedness for ASF - effective early warning and rapid reaction.

� Continue a dialogue with the National Veterinary Services of Ghana on: establishing a baseline of competence on ASF among the field staff of veterinary services, ASF emergency preparedness and effective implementation of the ASF information/public awareness campaign.

� Monitor and advice on the system developed for sample collection in Ghana and submission to the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, the Sub-regional Diagnostic Laboratory, C�te d'Ivoire, and other reference centres for confirmatory diagnosis and virus characterisation studies.

� Monitor and advise on effectiveness of the ASF surveillance scheme in high risk areas - border areas, ports, markets etc.

� Prepare a concise consultancy report according to applied FAO standard and submit it for clearance in Word 6.0 format (on diskette or as an attachment by e-mail).

� Perform any other related duties as required.

Annex 2.6

Terms of Reference

Retired Expert Author's Contract for producing guidelines on ASF Contingency Planning and Compulsory Slaughter (US$ 3 000)

A Retired Expert with acknowledged directly relevant expertise will be recruited for 30 days to write (from home) concise but precise draft guidelines for contingency planning and compulsory slaughter, in the context of ASF and Ghana. These will be finalised in the Animal Health Service before editing and publication in-house.

Annex 2.7

Terms of Reference

FAO Supervisory Technical Services

(1) FAO Regional Animal Health Officer, Accra - Animal Health Officer

Duty Station: Ghana

Duration: 2 weeks during month 6 of project implementation

Duties: In addition to standard supervisory work during the duration of implementation of the project, the Regional Animal Health Officer will allocate 2 weeks full time work to specific technical backstopping duties. He/she will undertake extensive travel to infected and high risk areas and discussions with national authorities and other stakeholders in swine production to:

� Assess the efficacy of project implementation and its impact on the ASF emergency.

� Promote sustainability of project outcomes through discussions with all stakeholders in Ghana including other international organisations, donors and NGOs who might be involved in issues such as restocking, reorganisation of veterinary services and emergency preparedness.

� Identify any deficiencies in project implementation and suggest means of correcting them.

� Report findings to FAO Headquarters.

(2) FAO Animal Health Service, Rome - EMPRES Emergency Preparedness Officer

Duty station: Ghana

Duration: 2 weeks - 2 missions of I week each during months 2 and 6 of project implementation

Duties: Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Animal Health Service, FAO Headquarters, and in close collaboration with the other Consultants, National Project Co-ordinator and counterparts, the officer(s) will:

Mission 1

� Undertake specifically the technical backstopping of emergency preparedness procedures for ASF in Ghana in a holistic context.

� Travel to the ASF affected areas and regions which are at immediate risk of infection and examine the ASF epidemiological status and verification.

� Evaluate implementation of project activities specifically with respect to emergency preparedness.

� Assess national emergency preparedness planning in relation to ASF and the effect of decentralisation of veterinary services on this.

� Assess the epidemiological, environmental and socio-economic risk factors which may create favourable conditions for ASF outbreaks in the country.

� Develop within the country and that of the sub-region the concept of co-operation/co-ordination for ASF and other trans-boundary disease emergencies.

� Advise on possible corrections/modifications of the Work Plan.

� Perform any other related duties as required.

� Prepare a concise mission report according to applied FAO standards.

Mission 2

� Evaluate implementation of project activities and monitor progress with respect to enhancing national emergency preparedness.

� Travel if necessary to the ASF affected areas and regions which are at immediate risk of infection and examine the evolution of disease control and emergency preparedness in the decentralised services.

� In the light of evolution of the eradication programme, assess the epidemiological, environmental and socio-economic risk factors which may create favourable conditions for a resurgence of ASF outbreaks in the country.

� Further develop within the country and that of the sub-region the concept of co-operation/co-ordination for ASF and other trans-boundary disease emergencies.

� Advise on possible corrections/modifications of the Work Plan.

� Perform any other related duties as required.

� Prepare a concise mission report according to applied FAO standards.

Annex 3

Services to be Provided Under Contracts

� Contract with an Institution for multi-media ASF training modules on diagnosis, surveillance and emergency preparedness (US$ 30 000)

A UK-based company (a member of the AVIS Consortium of which FAO was a founder member) with proven, unique expertise in producing computer-based, multimedia, interactive, modules for technology transfer will be contracted to generate the module. The company will bring together expertise from the FAO Collaborating Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, South Africa) and the best available ASF technical expertise and experience (retired experts) from European Institutes as authors and technical advisors and compile all the technical elements into the interactive computer-based format. The finished training package with instructions for use will be made available on CD-ROM and diskettes.

Annex 4

Equipment

� Motor-cycles (10 @ US$ 2 500) US$ 25 000

� 1 ELISA microplate spectrophotometer and necessary ancillary items US$ 12 000

� 1 Fluorescent Microscope, Filters, UPS and necessary accessories US$ 15 000

� Ten Global Positioning System (GPS) units (10 @ US$ 500) US$  5 000

Annex 5

Training

1 In-Country Group Training of Field Veterinary Officers

Agenda: Training on ASF Surveillance, Control and Eradication (Training of Trainers) in the country.

Participants: Provincial Veterinary Officers, District Veterinary Officers, animal health officers and extension specialists.

Location: Accra

Duration: 2 day

Number of participants: 20 Provincial and District Veterinary Officers.

Responsible: Consultants and Departments of Veterinary Services (epidemiologists).

Cost: US$ 4 000 based on US$ 200 per person covering internal travel and local DSA for 3 days in Accra.

2 National Awareness Workshops on ASF Emergency Prevention and Control

Purpose: Six workshops will be held by the national veterinary staff aided by those trained at the `training of trainers' workshop. These will target the highest risk areas and stakeholders in each province or district from the animal health, farming and trading communities, including the police involved in zoosanitary enforcement procedures. The workshops will enhance community awareness of the issues involved in ASF emergency prevention and control. (6 Workshops @ US$ 2000 = US$ 12 000).

Number of participants: 20+ at each workshop

Cost: 6 Workshops @ US$ 2000 = US$ 12 000

Responsible: Department of Veterinary Services and Animal Production; national trainers prepared during the Country Training Course.

3 Study Tour (2 people for 4 weeks)

Purpose: To train 2 laboratory technologists at the LANADA, Bingerville, C�te d'Ivoire on applied laboratory diagnostic methods for ASF.

Duration: 4 weeks of training during month 2 of project implementation

Responsible: LANADA, Bingerville, C�te d'Ivoire