The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has received four-wheel drive vehicles, motorcycles and information and communication technology (ICT) devices from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to strengthen Ghana's animal health system and enhance the country's preparedness against animal disease outbreaks and future pandemics.

The items were handed over at a ceremony held at the forecourt of the Ministry on Friday, June 26, 2026.

The support was provided under the World Bank-funded Pandemic Fund Programme, which is being jointly implemented by FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO) through the One Health approach.

The Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Eric Opoku, expressed gratitude to FAO, the World Bank, WHO and other development partners for their continued support in strengthening Ghana's agricultural and animal health systems.

He described the intervention as a major investment in Ghana's health security, food security and agricultural productivity.

"Today's handover is not merely a presentation of vehicles, motorcycles, laboratory equipment and consumables. It is an investment in Ghana's health security, food security, agricultural productivity and economic resilience," the Minister said.

According to him, the project will ultimately provide 20 four-wheel drive vehicles, more than 260 motorcycles, nearly 300 ICT devices and support the rehabilitation of six veterinary laboratories to strengthen veterinary service delivery nationwide.

He noted that the investments align with the objectives of the Feed Ghana Programme and the broader Agriculture for Economic Transformation Agenda, stressing that healthy livestock are essential to increasing agricultural productivity and improving food security.

The Minister also announced that the Ministry will soon undertake a nationwide animal census to register livestock and their owners and establish a comprehensive database for effective livestock management and disease surveillance.

The Interim FAO Representative in Ghana, Ms. Priya Gujadur, said the support forms part of the Strengthening Systems for Pandemic Preparedness and Response in Ghana project, financed through the World Bank's Pandemic Fund.

She explained that the project focuses on strengthening the veterinary workforce, improving laboratory systems and enhancing disease surveillance and early warning systems to enable Ghana to prevent, detect and respond effectively to animal and zoonotic diseases.

Ms. Gujadur disclosed that about 175 veterinary personnel and wildlife officers have already been trained in disease surveillance, reporting and diagnosis over the past year under the project.

"The vehicles, equipment and laboratory supplies we are handing over today are investments in stronger institutions and more resilient systems. They are investments in protecting livelihoods, safeguarding public health and ensuring Ghana is better prepared to respond to emerging disease threats," she said.

She reaffirmed FAO's commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to strengthen Ghana's disease surveillance systems, build institutional capacity and enhance the country's resilience against future pandemics.

"We remain committed to working with the Government of Ghana to strengthen surveillance, early warning and disease detection and outbreak response so that Ghana remains prepared, protected and proactive," Ms. Gujadur added.

The ceremony marked the first phase of logistics support under the Pandemic Fund Programme and reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Government of Ghana and its development partners to building a stronger, more responsive and resilient animal health system.