Story: Tim Dzamboe, Ho
THE Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) has embarked on free vaccination of ruminants in the Volta Region.
Dubbed “The Golden Jubilee Free Vaccination of Ruminants,” the exercise, which is part of a nation-wide campaign, is expected to run from February 1 to March 31, 2008.
The ruminants are being vaccinated against the Contagious Bovine Pleuro-Pneumonia (CBPP) in cattle and “Peste des Petits Ruminants” (PPR) in sheep and goats.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic on the exercise, the Volta Regional Veterinary Officer, Dr Ben Aniwa, said the two devastating diseases were greatly affecting livestock production in the region.
He said the project was a local initiative of MOFA, which was absolving the cost of vaccines with a view to encouraging livestock farmers who had over the years contributed immensely to the provision of animal protein in the diet of Ghanaians.
He, therefore, said the exercise had started in earnest with education and awareness creation of livestock farmers in the communities to prepare them for the programme.
Dr Aniwa appealed to all farmers, including alien herdsmen, to co-operate by ensuring that most of their animals were vaccinated during the period.
He, however, urged them to prepare to pay for the vaccination in 2009 and 2010.
According to him, the department was facing a number of challenges, including an acute shortage of all categories of staff.
Dr Aniwa said it was no secret that most veterinary officers were above 50 years.
He mentioned lack of pick-up vehicles and motorcycles for staff as another major obstacle to the delivery of animal health services, including disease surveillance in the region. Dr Aniwa disclosed that all District Directors of Agriculture had pledged their support the exercise.
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