By Joyce Kantam Kolamong
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, in collaboration with the Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), with funding from the European Union (EU), has successfully vaccinated more than 200,000 poultry in three regions of the North.
The vaccinated birds included local fowls, exotic birds, guinea fowls, turkeys, and ducks across the Savannah, North East, and Upper East Regions. This was contained in a statement issued by the FAO/EU.
Combating Newcastle Disease – one of the most devastating viral infections affecting poultry.
Implemented under the EU-funded Food Security Response in Northern Ghana Project, the vaccination campaign strengthened the capacity of 70 MoFA officers and field technicians in farmer mobilization, poultry health awareness, and vaccination delivery. The initiative aims to safeguard rural livestock, improve food security and nutrition, and enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers.
EU Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Skinnebach, said, “The successful vaccination of over 200,000 birds is a testament to our shared commitment with the people of Northern Ghana.” He further added, “Protecting livestock is a direct investment in food security and the economic resilience of smallholder farmers. This initiative forms a crucial pillar of our comprehensive support to build a more food-secure future for the region.”
Newcastle disease is a highly contagious viral infection that affects domestic and wild birds, causing respiratory distress, reduced egg production, and high mortality rates. In Ghana, the disease has led to significant economic losses for farmers and threatens food and nutrition security, particularly among rural households that depend on poultry as a major source of food and income.
The vaccination exercise was conducted in many districts and communities targeted by the project, focusing on inclusive community engagement and awareness creation. Women, persons with disabilities, and youth farmers were particularly targeted to prevent losses in livestock and enhance food security among these groups.
According to FAO Representative in Ghana, Priya Gujadhur, protecting the poultry sector means protecting livelihoods, nutrition, and hope for rural families. “Through this campaign, FAO is ensuring that communities, especially women and youth, have the knowledge and resources to safeguard their flocks and strengthen food security in the long term,” she stated.
A lead farmer in the Sigma Community, Northern Ghana, Foster Batom, said, “Last year, many of us in this community lost our poultry to disease because vaccines weren’t available. This year, thanks to FAO and the veterinary officers who came to vaccinate our birds, we’re hopeful that our poultry will stay healthy.”
Through this campaign, FAO and its partners continue to promote animal health, food security, and sustainable livelihoods in Ghana’s northern regions, ensuring that rural poultry production remains a vital pillar for nutrition and economic growth.
The EU Food Security Response Project
In 2023, the European Union launched a €10 million Food Security Response Project in Northern Ghana, in partnership with FAO and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA).
In early 2024, maize seeds, sorghum foundation seeds, and millet foundation seeds, along with NPK and urea fertilizers, were distributed to over 12,262 smallholder farmers to support the 2024 planting season. In August 2024, the Government of Ghana sought support to mitigate the effects of a prolonged dry spell, which severely impacted agricultural activities, particularly in Northern Ghana.
The EU Food Security Response Project, in collaboration with FAO and the Government of Ghana, is accelerating efforts to mitigate the effects of the dry spell. The project will focus on boosting livestock and poultry production, promoting dry-season vegetable cultivation, offering alternative livelihoods to the affected farmers, and building resilience against future climate shocks.
It will also increase farmers’ access to markets and strengthen their application of business and financial literacy skills to enhance their earnings from their production.
