The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) of Ghana’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and with funding from the European Union (EU), has successfully vaccinated over 200,000 poultry across the Savannah, North East, and Upper East Regions of Northern Ghana. The vaccination targeted local fowls, exotic birds, guinea fowls, turkeys, and ducks to combat Newcastle Disease, a highly contagious viral infection that causes respiratory distress, reduced egg production, and high mortality in birds. The campaign aimed to protect rural livestock, strengthen food security, and enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers.
Implemented under the EU-funded Food Security Response in Northern Ghana Project, the initiative also built the capacity of 70 MoFA officers and field technicians in farmer mobilization, poultry health awareness, and vaccination delivery. The campaign focused on community engagement, particularly targeting women, youth, and persons with disabilities to ensure inclusive protection of livestock and support for nutrition and livelihoods.
Newcastle Disease has historically caused significant economic losses for farmers in Ghana, threatening food and nutrition security for rural households that depend on poultry as a key source of income and nutrition. The vaccination campaign sought to reduce these losses and provide long-term support to farming communities, safeguarding both livelihoods and the regional poultry sector.
EU Ambassador to Ghana Rune Skinnebach emphasized that protecting livestock represents a direct investment in food security and economic resilience for smallholder farmers, while FAO Representative Priya Gujadhur highlighted that the initiative equips communities, especially women and youth, with the knowledge and resources to maintain healthy flocks and strengthen food security. Local farmers, such as Foster Batom from the Sigma Community, expressed optimism that the campaign would prevent the poultry losses experienced in previous years.
Through this coordinated effort, FAO, MoFA, and EU partners continue to promote animal health, sustainable livelihoods, and food security in Northern Ghana, ensuring that poultry production remains a vital component of nutrition and economic growth in the region.
