In northern Ghana, VWB is supporting a One Health initiative that empowers women smallholder farmers to strengthen community-based animal health systems, improve household livelihoods, and build healthier, more resilient communities.
Strengthening One Health Systems for Women Smallholder Farmers
Goal: To strengthen community-based animal health systems and improve the livelihoods of women smallholder farmers by expanding access to veterinary services, promoting One Health practices, and supporting resilient, women-led livestock enterprises.
Target Groups: Women smallholder farmers, Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs), veterinary professionals, students, teachers, and rural farming communities.
Where: Bongo District and Kassena-Nankana West District, Upper East Region, Ghana.
Duration: 2026-2027 (One year)
The Situation
In northern Ghana, women smallholder farmers play a vital role in raising poultry and livestock, supporting household nutrition, and strengthening local economies. However, limited access to veterinary services, financial resources, and markets—combined with the growing impacts of climate change and animal disease—can threaten livestock health, livelihoods, and food security.
Women often face additional barriers to training, leadership opportunities, and decision-making, making it more difficult to access the knowledge and resources needed to build resilient livestock enterprises. Strengthening community-based animal health systems is essential to improving animal health, household well-being, and community resilience.
What We Are Doing
In collaboration with META Foundation Ghana, key activities include:
Training Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs): Training and equipping 20 women CAHWs to deliver basic animal health services, promote disease prevention, and share knowledge with farming households.
Strengthening Veterinary Capacity: Training 20 veterinary professionals in disease surveillance, diagnostics, mentorship, and digital extension services to strengthen local animal health systems.
Expanding Access to Animal Health Services: Introducing digital tools that connect veterinarians, CAHWs, and farmers through advisory messages, disease reporting, and remote support.
Supporting Women-Led Livestock Enterprises: Providing financial literacy training, strengthening savings and loan groups, improving market linkages, and establishing a revolving loan fund to help women invest in their livestock businesses.
Promoting One Health Education: Establishing school-based One Health Clubs and supporting community outreach to increase awareness of the connections between animal, human, and environmental health.
Building Community Resilience: Promoting climate-smart livestock management and supporting communities to develop resilience plans that strengthen preparedness for future health and climate challenges.
Expected Impact
Local Partner
META Foundation Ghana works with rural communities to strengthen livelihoods through sustainable agriculture, women's empowerment, and community development. With deep roots in northern Ghana, META brings local knowledge, trusted relationships, and a strong commitment to helping farming communities build healthier, more resilient futures.
Together, VWB and META are strengthening community-based animal health systems through a locally led One Health approach.
Funding Partner
This project is made possible through the generous support of Zoetis Foundation.
Veterinarians Without Borders North America couldn't do the work we do without your support. Whether it's a financial donation or a donation of your time, by improving the health of animals you will be working to improve the health and quality of life for people throughout the world.
Join the VWB community for a virtual look at the stories, people, partnerships and progress that shaped our work this year — and hear what’s ahead for Veterinarians Without Borders as we continue working for healthier animals, people and communities around the world.
In recognition of World Humanitarian Day, this blog explores what humanitarian work looks like beyond the immediate emergency. Through the perspectives of two of VWB's local partners in Ukraine, it examines how restoring livelihoods, preserving compassion, and strengthening community resilience are all essential to long-term recovery.
In this edition of #VETSVolunteerVoices, we shift perspective—from the experiences of VETS volunteers to the voice of one of VWB's longest-standing partners in Ghana. Meet Dr. Anthony "Akunz" Akunzule, Executive Director of the Ghana Poultry Network (GAPNET), who has spent more than four decades strengthening animal health systems, empowering rural communities, and mentoring the next generation of veterinary professionals.
