Veterinary doctors want greater involvement in government’s animal production policies

The Ghana Veterinary Medical Association (GVMA) has called on the government to involve veterinary professionals in the formulation and implementation of animal production policies to improve livestock production and strengthen disease control in the country.

The Association says the exclusion of veterinary doctors from the initial stages of some government interventions could undermine efforts to boost animal production, particularly in the poultry sector.

Millions of birds have reportedly died due to challenges including inadequate vaccination practices and poor breeding systems.

President of the Ghana Veterinary Medical Association, Dr Joseph Kofi Abuh, made the call in an interview with Adom News on the sidelines of the Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).

He said although the government’s efforts to improve animal production were commendable, veterinary professionals must be actively involved in policy development and implementation to ensure that animal health receives the necessary attention.

Dr Abuh indicated that the Association was prepared to engage the relevant minister to address shortcomings in existing interventions and ensure a more coordinated approach to animal production.

He also called for increased recruitment of veterinary doctors into the public sector, arguing that the shortage of professionals was affecting the country’s capacity to safeguard animal health and strengthen local poultry production.

According to him, adequate investment in veterinary services could help reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported poultry and poultry products.

Veterinary training institutions

Dr Abuh further urged the government to prioritise the rehabilitation and equipping of existing veterinary training institutions rather than establishing additional schools without addressing the challenges confronting current facilities.

He cited the Pong-Tamale Veterinary School, established during the colonial era, as an institution facing deteriorating infrastructure, inadequate water supply and a lack of functional animal clinics and farms.

He said addressing these challenges would help improve veterinary training and equip professionals with the skills needed to support Ghana’s animal production sector.

GVMA calls for technology-driven veterinary services

Meanwhile, Vice President of the Association, Dr Theophilus Odoom, has called for the adoption of innovation and modern technology in veterinary practice to strengthen Ghana’s animal health system and support the government’s 24-hour economy agenda.

Speaking on the theme for this year’s AGM, “Building a Resilient 24-Hour Economy: Empowering Veterinary Frontline through Innovations and Technology,” Dr Odoom said veterinary services extend beyond the treatment of animals to protecting human health and the environment.

He explained that strengthening animal health surveillance was critical to Ghana’s preparedness against emerging infectious diseases, particularly those that could spread from animals to humans.

Dr Odoom cited the importance of early disease detection, effective reporting and surveillance systems, especially amid emerging health threats such as Ebola outbreaks in other countries.

He said the Association was promoting the use of digital surveillance platforms and other technological interventions, including Empress i and CeLab, to improve disease monitoring and reporting.

The Vice President added that adopting modern technologies in poultry and livestock production would improve productivity, strengthen food security and make Ghana’s food systems more resilient.

He said the AGM would provide an opportunity for veterinary doctors, nurses, technicians and other professionals within the veterinary fraternity to deliberate on practical measures to support the government’s development agenda.

The Ghana Veterinary Medical Association brings together veterinary doctors in both the public and private sectors and holds its annual general meeting to deliberate on issues affecting animal health, production and the veterinary profession.