The Veterinary Service has raised alarm over the low number of vaccinated dogs in Ghana, revealing that only 170,000 out of the estimated 2.5 million dogs in the country have received vaccinations.
The Service warned that this low vaccination rate poses a serious risk to communities, as unvaccinated dogs can transmit rabies, a fatal disease. To meet the global goal of eradicating rabies deaths, at least 70% of Ghana’s dog and cat populations must be vaccinated.
Rabies, primarily contracted from dogs, cats, and monkeys, kills around 55,000 people globally each year. From 2018 to 2024, Ghana recorded over 600 confirmed rabies outbreaks, with the Ashanti, Greater Accra, Upper East, Western, and Central regions experiencing the highest numbers.
Between 2020 and 2024, the Ashanti Region alone recorded 34 positive rabies cases and two deaths. This year’s World Rabies Day was marked in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District, where a 6-year-old girl tragically lost her life to rabies in April.
District Health Director Dr. Eric Sarpong, speaking at the event, called for a unified effort to prevent future rabies-related deaths in the country.
Dr. Mabel Abudu, the Ashanti Regional Director of Veterinary Services, highlighted that the country remains at risk due to the public’s reluctance to vaccinate their pets. She urged local assemblies to enforce laws on responsible pet ownership by arresting those who fail to vaccinate their animals.
“People should be responsible for pets. Once you go for them, you need to budget for them. If you know you can’t take care of them, don’t go for them. Sadly, our animal welfare system isn’t functioning as it should. But once you fail to vaccinate your animal, you should be arrested,” she stated.