More than 200,000 poultry including local fowls, exotic birds, guinea fowls, turkeys, and ducks have been vaccinated against Newcastle Disease across the Savannah, North East, and Upper East Regions as part of efforts to curb one of the most destructive viral infections affecting Ghana’s poultry industry.
The large-scale vaccination exercise was conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in partnership with the Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), with funding support from the European Union (EU).
The initiative forms a major component of the EU-funded Food Security Response in Northern Ghana Project.
According to an FAO statement, the campaign also strengthened the technical capacity of 70 MoFA officers and field technicians in farmer mobilization, poultry health education, and effective vaccine administration.
“The initiative aims to safeguard rural livestock, improve food security and nutrition, and enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers,” the statement said.
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EU Ambassador to Ghana, Mr. Rune Skinnebach, praised the success of the vaccination drive, noting that the protection of rural livestock is directly linked to economic stability.
“The successful vaccination of over 200,000 birds is a testament to our shared commitment with the people of Northern Ghana,” he said.
“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 causes severe respiratory distress, reduced egg production, and high mortality in poultry.
In Ghana, the disease has resulted in extensive economic losses and threatens food security in rural communities where poultry serves as a key source of nutrition and household income.
The FAO statement noted that the vaccination exercise was implemented across multiple districts and communities, emphasizing inclusive community participation and awareness creation.
Women, youth, and persons with disabilities were prioritised to ensure vulnerable groups do not lose their livestock to preventable diseases.
FAO Representative in Ghana, Madam Priya Gujadhur, underscored the broader impact of the campaign.
“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 said.
Farmers welcomed the initiative, with Foster Batom, a lead farmer in the Sigma Community, recalling last year’s losses due to unavailable vaccines.
“This year, thanks to FAO and the veterinary officers who came to vaccinate our birds, we’re hopeful that our poultry will stay healthy,” he said.
FAO noted that the campaign forms part of ongoing efforts to promote animal health, enhance food and nutrition security, and support sustainable livelihoods in northern Ghana.
It stressed that maintaining healthy rural poultry production remains essential for local nutrition and economic growth.
