AN Event-based Mobile Application plus (EMA-I +), a national digital tool for real-time surveillance and reporting of diseases in domestic animals, wildlife, aquatic animals, and bees, was yesterday launched in Accra.
The mobile application, designed by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), is to strengthen decision-making in developing countries by facilitating timely information sharing among all stakeholders, including front-line animal health and veterinary authorities at all levels.
Launched by the Veterinary Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), in collaboration with the FAO of the United Nations (UN), the application was first piloted in 20 districts in 2019.
The piloting led to a threefold increase in reported disease outbreaks within six months after its introduction compared to that of 2018.
However, the mobile application was upgraded in 2023 by the FAO to the enhanced EMA-I+.
Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Eric Opoku, said that reports of diseases from the piloting of the mobile application enabled rapid responses that saved both lives and livelihoods.
According to him, 68 weekly animal health bulletins were generated between January 2024 and April 2025, with more than 50 trained community animal health workers in the Upper East Region, alongside veterinary practitioners nationwide.
Mr Opoku said that the MOFA was aware of the challenges that was associated with the launch of the mobile application, including internet connectivity, strengthening laboratory infrastructure, and adequate user devices.
“The Ministry is committed to mobilising resources and embedding EMA-I+ into our broader national animal health strategies to ensure its sustainability,” Mr Opoku opined.
He urged all stakeholders, including government institutions, development partners, academia, the private sector, and community organisations, to fully embrace and champion the adoption of the mobile application.
For her part, the FAO Country representative in Ghana, Ms Priya Gujadhur, said that it valued the strong collaboration it had with the Veterinary Services Directorate of the MOFA in area of improved surveillance and early warning disease detection, antimicrobial resistance monitoring and workforce development in the food and agricultural sector.
Such collaborative efforts, Ms Gujadhur explained, were vital to safeguarding animal and human health, protecting livelihoods, and enhancing food security.
“This mobile application enhances animal disease surveillance by enabling timely and accurate reporting, which in turn supports faster to outbreaks and reduces the negative impact of disease on public health, food production, and food productivity,” Ms Gujadhur explained.
Additionally, Ms Gujadhur pointed out that the use of the mobile application in 16 countries worldwide, including Ghana, was a testament to its growing global recognition and trust.
The FAO, after the launch of the mobile application, handed over laboratory and personal protective equipment to the Veterinary Services Directorate of the MOFA to enhance their operations.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY
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