The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has commenced a nationwide Mass Rabies Vaccination Campaign, targeting 25,000 dogs and cats in high‑risk areas as part of efforts to eliminate rabies deaths in Ghana by 2030.
Announcing the initiative, the Veterinary Services Department (VSD) said the free vaccination programme will run throughout September 2026, after which prescribed fees will apply. The campaign forms part of World Rabies Month 2026, under the theme “Stronger Together.”
Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Emmanuel Allegye‑Cudjoe, explained that rabies is almost 100 percent fatal once symptoms develop but is preventable through vaccination. He urged pet owners to vaccinate their animals annually, report bites or scratches immediately to the nearest health facility, and notify veterinary centres of any incidents.
Public education will be intensified through schools, religious institutions, traditional authorities, social media, and community engagement. Educational videos and audio messages in Twi, Ga, Ewe, and Hausa will be widely disseminated to raise awareness.
The Ministry emphasized that failure to vaccinate pets may constitute an offence under local government bye‑laws. It called on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, development partners, and the private sector to support the campaign with vaccines, logistics, and community mobilisation.
The initiative underscores Ghana’s commitment to achieving zero human deaths from dog‑mediated rabies by 2030, while strengthening collaboration between government, communities, and stakeholders in safeguarding public health.
Leave a Reply