Ghana Veterinary Medical Association warns of shortage of 80 doctors

The Ghana Veterinary Medical Association (GVMA) has raised a formal alarm regarding the critical shortage of veterinary professionals within the country's public sector. According to the association, there are currently fewer than 80 veterinary doctors serving the entire nation's public health and agricultural needs. This deficit is coupled with a workforce of approximately 1,000 veterinary technicians, a figure the GVMA describes as woefully inadequate to manage the health of Ghana’s livestock and domestic animal populations.

Dr. Joseph Kofi Abuh, the President of the GVMA, emphasized that the current staffing levels are not encouraging when measured against the total human and animal populations of Ghana. He argued that for the country to maintain an effective veterinary service, every district should ideally be staffed with at least five veterinary personnel. This target remains a distant goal as the sector continues to grapple with significant gaps in human resources and essential logistics required for fieldwork and disease surveillance.

The shortage has created a dangerous vacuum in the provision of animal healthcare, which is increasingly being filled by unqualified individuals. Dr. Abuh warned that these unlicensed practitioners often use inappropriate medications and lack the necessary training to diagnose or treat animal diseases correctly. This trend not only compromises the welfare of animals but also poses a secondary risk to public health, as improper treatment can lead to the spread of zoonotic diseases or the development of antimicrobial resistance.

To address these systemic challenges, the GVMA is calling for urgent interventions to bolster the workforce and improve the operational environment for veterinary staff. The association highlights that without a significant increase in the recruitment of qualified doctors and technicians, the nation remains vulnerable to livestock disease outbreaks and food safety risks. Ensuring that each district has a dedicated team of professionals is seen as a vital step toward securing the country's agricultural economy and safeguarding the health of its citizens.