Topic: 2024-Spread of Animal Viruses
Country: Ghana
Delegate Name: Jack Bredeweg
World Health Organization (WHO)
The Spread of Animal Viruses
Ghana
Jack Bredeweg
Ghana’s Stance on the Spread of Animals Viruses
Animal Viruses have a long history of causing detrimental impacts on Ghana that have long standing effects. Such as the Ebola outbreak in 2013-2016, which directly harmed other countries in West Africa, still indirectly affected the economy in Ghana due to disruptions in regional trade as a way to prevent the spreading of the virus. Africa is the fastest growing population and because of that has a growing demand for poultry, milk, eggs, and meat. If animal viruses are not prevented soon we will see a devastating impact in West Africa, including in rural and isolated areas as transportation is improving in Africa. If another outbreak such as Ebola managed to make its way into Ghana, the government would have difficulty managing the effects of the virus. This is because Ghana just isn’t equipped to handle a virus. Only 38% of all hospitals have isolation beds that would be needed to keep infected patients away from noninfected patients. But also if most hospitals aren’t suited for storing medicine that would be needed to treat patients, as only 30% of hospitals with pharmacies meet the required standards for storing medicine.
Since the beginning of time Animal Viruses have always been on the mind of Ghanaian people. Between the years 2020-2023 there have been 77 confirmed deaths due to rabies. Ghana has policies in place that require review and updating to ensure suitability for disease
Preparedness. However, most are outdated. Such as the veterinarian services act (from 1961) and wildlife trade laws that have limited penalty, scope, and enforcement. On a national level, Ghana has many measures to prevent the spread of animal viruses. Primarily, Ghana has created multiple government agencies, such as the Veterinary Services Directorate (VSD) and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), to oversee operations preventing the spread of animal viruses. Furthemore, Ghana has procedures in to vaccinate livestock, set quarantine on imported animals, and to spread awareness through the country. On an international level, Ghana has engaged with organizations aimed to prevent the spreading of animal viruses such as Global Early Warning System for Animal Diseases (GLEWS). Moreover, Ghana is a signatory on the International Health Regulations, which aims to prevent the international spread of animal viruses.
The Republic of Ghana urges the United Nations to take a multiple-faceted approach to addressing the spread of animal viruses that emphasizes international cooperation and more intricate surveillance and prevention measures. The Republic of Ghana recommends that the International Community works together to give financial and technical support to developing countries. Additionally, strong cross-border cooperation especially in developing countries will prevent the transboundary spread of animal viruses. The Republic of Ghana calls for the international communities’ support in the One Health approach, which links human, animal, and environmental health together. Only through a united, global effort will we be able to combat the spread of animal viruses.
