Ghana veterinary health crisis highlighted by rabid dog deaths

Five people died in Ghana’s Western Region in August 2026 after being bitten by a single dog suspected of carrying rabies. This incident has drawn attention to significant gaps in the nation’s veterinary health infrastructure.

Experts note that while successive governments have prioritized human healthcare, investment in veterinary services has lagged. This imbalance is critical because the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization report that approximately 60 percent of human diseases and 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases originate from animals.

The Veterinary Services Department of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture currently has fewer than 100 veterinary doctors. This shortage of human resources affects the ability to monitor metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies, slaughter facilities, and border entry points, potentially allowing for disease outbreaks and unregulated practices.