FAO focus on a One Health approach at the grassroots level
Creating increased awareness on the One Health approach across all sectors.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations together with other partners launched the 2021 commemorations of the International One Health Day, focusing on creating increased awareness on the One Health approach at community levels as well as bringing the attention of policymakers and donors to understanding the intricate interplay of One Health.
This Technical One Health Working Group platform will also be used to share promotional messages on the One Health approach for stakeholders including the media. These activities align with this year’s global theme “It is time to build a fairer and healthier world for everyone” and the Global Health Security Agenda is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Animal Health and Production College in Pong-Tamale, Northern region of Ghana, was the venue to mark the activities of the 2021 International One Health Day. The Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture was the lead institution for the organization of the event, with the support of the FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) committed to contributing to improving One Health implementation in compliance with International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005) of the World Health Organization (WHO).
At the ceremony, the Deputy Director of the Veterinary Service Directorate and Regional Director of the Greater Accra, Dr Joseph Kofi Abuh, who spoke on behalf of the Chief Veterinary Officer, called on municipal and district assemblies to help with the logistics of veterinary clinics, so that they can intervene in animal health and prevent possible outbreaks of animal diseases.
“The diverse ecosystems in which we live in today’s global world, facilitate the human-animal-environment interface and predispose humans and animals to be at risk for zoonotic diseases”. He said.
On behalf of the Director of Public Health Dr Azumah Abdul-Tawab, affirmed that “The Ghana Health Service will continue to sensitize its workforce especially those at the local level on the need to collaborate with other sectors as part of its effort to help create awareness of the One Health Concept.”
In a short address, FAO ECTAD Country Team Leader, Garba Ahmed, indicated that the “FAO Ghana office will continue to support the various efforts of the Government of Ghana in promoting a One Health approach and mitigating the impact of zoonotic diseases, transmitted from animals to humans”.
International One Health Day commemorations
The One Health Technical Working Group (OH-TWG) Planning Committee for this year’s One Health event was headed by The National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) under the Ministry of the Interior. As part of pre- International One Health Day activities, NADMO organized a press briefing on 29 October 2021 for policymakers and development partners in Accra to echo the need to have a common understanding of the One Health Approach.
This activity complemented today’s community durbar, which took place at the community level, at the Animal Health and Production College in Pong-Tamale, under the chair of the principal of the Animal Health and Production College. The College trains para-veterinary professionals.
The Chiefs of Pong-Tamale, the students, teachers, and community members from the took part in the community durbar on the International One Health Day. There were solidarity messages from the Environmental Protection Agency, Regional Director of Ghana Health Service, the National Disaster Management Organization, the Director of Agriculture in Savelugu Municipality, the Regional Veterinary Officer, and the TseTse Unit at Pong-Tamale.
The Municipal Chief Executive Officer of the Savelugu Municipal Assembly, Hon. Hajia Ayishetu Seidu delivered the keynote address. The event was interspersed with local drumming and dancing group.
FAO fosters national engagement for better operationalisation of the One Health approach
The goal of this year’s International One Health Day was to build the cultural will necessary for a change in how One Health challenges are assessed and addressed. International One Health Day will bring global attention to the need for One Health interactions and allow the world to “see these interactions in action” towards building a fairer and healthier world.
In November 2017, FAO ECTAD provided technical support to the VSD to celebrate the International One Health Day. This was the first time that the country officially celebrated International One Health Day. The following year, FAO ECTAD organized a stakeholders’ engagement workshop in Accra as part of activities to mark International One Health Day 2018, participants included ministries, development partners, non-governmental organizations, hospitals, universities, research institutions and the private sector.
In 2019, FAO, WHO and USAID Breakthrough Action jointly supported the Veterinary Service, Ghana Health Service, NADMO and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to celebrate One Health Day in Ketu South, in the Volta region. During last year’s celebrations, FAO in collaboration with WHO and USAID Breakthrough Action supported the VSD to engage authorities and communities at the national launch on 19 November 2020 in Kumasi, Ashanti region.
It is essential to celebrate the International One Health day to sustain the momentum of activities on One Health in Ghana and engage as many authorities, communities and individuals as possible from as many areas as possible in One Health education and awareness events and to generate an inspiring array of projects worldwide.