With nearly 28% of its population living below the poverty line and with over 100 different ethnic group residing within its borders, it is remarkable that Ghana has not experienced the political strife suffered by so many other African nations. Ghana is often referred to as the “Island of Peace”, a fitting description for an African country that has experienced almost two decades of stable, democratic rule.

Agriculture drives Ghana’s economy, employing over 40% of its working population. Many people living in the Nadowli District in upper western Ghana are smallholder livestock farmers raising chickens, guinea fowl, cows, sheep, goats and pigs. These farmers are dependent on their livestock not only as an important food source for their families, but also as a means of generating income. Unfortunately, the region lacks the veterinary infrastructure needed to ensure the continued health and productivity of these farm animals.

VWB/VSF is now supporting a project led by Drs. Bruce Hunter and Isaac Luginaah that aims to improve food security and, in turn, the health and wellbeing of smallholder farmers living in Chang and surrounding villages in the Nadowli District. After meeting with local farmers, Drs. Hunter and Luginaah identified several areas where VWB/VSF can be of assistance.

To start, VWB/VSF will work with its Ghanaian partners to deliver training courses on livestock disease prevention, detection and treatment. The team will also work with farmers to develop better methods for harvesting and storing animal feed. This is especially important since the Nadowli District is prone to periods of drought. Farmers have also identified guinea fowl production as a potentially lucrative local industry. Together with VWB/VSF, they will look at developing improved husbandry methods and explore ways in which to profit from this native bird species.

Like all VWB/VSF projects, the ultimate goal is to build local capacity so that Ghanaian farmers can improve their livelihoods and create a brighter future for themselves and their community.