Dr. Emmanuel Allegye-Cudjoe,  Chief Veterinary Officer , made this know during a press briefing at ahead of the World Rabies Day event at the Veterinary Services Directorate in Accra. He said that Ghana has its fair share of rabies statistics, with stray and unvaccinated dogs being the primary carriers. Urban growth, particularly in Accra and Kumasi, has led to an increase in unvaccinated dogs, which breed rapidly due to access to waste and poor sanitation.

He revealed that between 2020 and 2023, 793 suspected human rabies cases were reported, resulting in 77 deaths. This year alone, 31 confirmed animal rabies cases had been recorded across 9 regions, with 26 human fatalities.

Despite being a vaccine-preventable disease, rabies remains endemic in Ghana. Children under 15 years are the most vulnerable, accounting for 40% of those bitten by rabies infected animals. Dogs are the primary carriers, responsible for over 95% of human cases worldwide.

Dr Cudjoe disclosed that Ghana had committed to eradicating rabies by 2030, aligning with the global goal. In 2019, the country launched a National Action Plan to guide efforts toward this objective. However, Ghana's progress was hindered by low rabies awareness, as highlighted during the National Bridging Workshop in September 2022.

“Other African countries, such as Cape Verde, Libya, Mauritius, and Seychelles, have successfully eliminated rabies through vaccination programs, political commitment, and effective management. Ghana can follow suit with the right resources and collaboration”, he stated.

Dr. Cudjoe emphasized the need for a new Animal Health Bill, currently before Parliament, to replace the outdated 1961 law. The bill would facilitate regulatory activities, disease surveillance, capacity building, and public health safeguarding. Additionally, it would address emerging trends in aquatic health, crucial for food security, as Ghana's water bodies face pollution threats from illegal mining also known locally as ‘galamsay ‘activities.

This year's celebration in Ghana would take place in Barakese in the Ashanti Region, where stakeholders, including development partners, local government agencies, and educational institutions, would gather to raise public awareness about rabies. Activities would include free vaccination campaigns and subsidized pet vaccinations