Animal Population Census to begin in September

A national animal population census is scheduled to start from September till December this year, to determine the actual number of the various domestic animals in the country.  

These include poultry, ruminants and pets.  
The exercise is aimed also at providing a reliable data on animals to guide government in its policy formulation.  The policy will include restriction on importation of poultry and meat, vaccine and determination of compensation in times of outbreak of diseases such as the bird flu.  

The Ejisu Municipal Veterinary Officer, Dr. Stephen George Bonnah made this known to Radio Ghana in Kumasi.  

He said currently, Ghana has no reliable data on the population of domestic animals because the last national animal census was carried out about 13 years ago.  

Dr. Bonnah said this year's exercise, which has been decentralized to the regional and district levels, is being jointly financed by the Government of Ghana and the Livestock development project.  

To make the exercise successful, a month-long sensitization programme has been organized, while Community health Livelihood Workers and opinion leaders are to be involved in the actual census to encourage active community participation.

Meanwhile Dr. Bonnah has cautioned domestic animal owners to critically scrutinize the genuineness of people who approach them to undertake the exercise. This is to avoid impersonation and theft.