The meeting, which attracted about fifty (50) people from diverse sectors, including the UN system, also sought to strengthen coordinated multisectoral Surveillance and Information sharing for zoonotic diseases in Ghana, using the Tripartite Surveillance and Information Sharing Operational Tool (SIS OT) developed by FAO, WHO and WOAH.

Ms. Ruth Arthur, the Director of the Disease Epidemics Department at NADMO, stated in an interview that the primary objective of the four-day workshop was to enhance information sharing on zoonotic diseases. This would be achieved by developing and implementing a multi-sectoral surveillance and information-sharing plan using SIS OT.

“When you look around at our various tourism centers including the zoos, you realize that large numbers of people visit these places very often, and as a result, certain infections are picked up from these animals into our various homes which in the long run result in chronic cases that may require not only one specialized person to treat, but people with different specialties”, she stated.

Ghana, she said, was working to implement the SIS OT as part of its ongoing efforts and commitment to strengthening the One Health system and improving its capacity to prevent and respond to zoonotic diseases.

The workshop, held at Koforidua in the Eastern Region, served as a critical step toward establishing a resilient, multi-sectoral surveillance system that protects both public and animal health.

It was organised under the auspices of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Participants were drawn from the Ministries of Health, Food and Agriculture, Environment and Science, the Veterinary Services Directorate, the Environmental Protection Authority, the Police Hospital, the Ghana Armed Forces/Medical Directorate, and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), among others.