Participants in a group photo after the workshop

FAO leads a three-day co-creation workshop in Tema to develop locally adapted biosecurity solutions that strengthen poultry sector resilience

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with the Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) and local authorities in Ghana, has adopted innovative co-creation approaches to develop biosecurity interventions aimed at combating the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). This initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen biosecurity and ensure the long-term sustainability of the country’s poultry sector.

The three-day workshop brought together public and private actors from the poultry value chain to collaboratively develop practical biosecurity solutions and culturally appropriate risk communication strategies. Ghana has experienced several HPAI outbreaks in the recent past, which have negatively impacted livelihoods, food security, and public health. To prevent future outbreaks, the co-creation workshop emphasized inclusive engagement, recognizing the need for locally adapted measures that reflect the realities and needs of poultry producers, particularly in Ashaiman, the pilot area for FAO’s Progressive Management Pathway for Terrestrial Animal Biosecurity (PMP-TAB).

Evidence shows that co-creation and participatory approaches, incorporating the knowledge, experiences, and needs of local stakeholders, are essential for developing interventions that are context-specific, sustainable, and broadly adopted for the poultry sector. This process involves multiple stakeholders, including farmers, community members, local authorities, experts, and organizations, working together to identify challenges, design solutions, and implement strategies that are mutually beneficial and contextually relevant. "The fight against animal diseases and antimicrobial resistance is crucial for the health of both animals and people," said Ms. Priya Gujadhur, FAO Representative in Ghana. "This initiative will help strengthen our response to these animal health threats and ensure safer food systems for all. By adopting a bottom-up approach, we are ensuring that solutions are truly appropriate for local communities and sustainable in the long term."

Dr. Emmanuel Allegye-Cudjoe,  Chief Veterinary Officer of the Veterinary Services directorate in Ghana, said: "This collaboration with FAO is an important step in protecting our country's agricultural industry and public health from the dangers of unchecked diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The participatory approach ensures that the needs and  voices of our local poultry farmers are heard and that the solutions developed are practical and implementable in the Ghanaian context."

“We are no longer just receiving instructions from the top, now we’re part of the process,” said Mrs. Damaris Mensah, a poultry farmer. By working together with other actors and authorities, we are making sure that biosecurity practices are practical, affordable, and sustainable for farms like ours”.

Fostering Resilience in the Poultry Sector through the PMP-TAB Approach

The workshop applied the principles of the FAO’s Progressive Management Pathway for Terrestrial Animal Biosecurity (PMP-TAB), a globally recognized framework that fosters shared responsibility between governments and value chain actors in managing biosecurity risks within animal production systems. Bringing together 40 diverse participants from across the poultry value chain, including farmers, traders, veterinary professionals, and local authorities, the three-day event focused on co-developing practical, locally tailored biosecurity solutions. Participants worked collaboratively to identify key barriers to effective biosecurity, explore feasible interventions, and prioritize actionable steps.

Building on previous assessments and trainings, the group developed a practical plan to pilot the proposed interventions, ensuring that the outcomes are grounded in local realities and positioned for meaningful impact, and enhance awareness, timely reporting, and ultimately improve overall biosecurity practices- laying the foundation for a more resilient and sustainable poultry sector.

FAO is committed to supporting the establishment of model farms that demonstrate effective biosecurity practices. These farms will serve as learning hubs, fostering knowledge transfer, peer learning, and practical exchange among poultry farmers. By showcasing locally adapted, cost-effective measures, the model farms will encourage wider adoption and enable other farmers to implement and sustain strong biosecurity practices on their farms.