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Launch of the 2017 World Rabies Day and Riwa Pilot project in Suhum

The 2017 World Rabies Day has been launched in Suhum. The event took place at the forecourt of the Suhum Municipal Assembly on Thursday, September 28, 2017.

Date Created : 1/30/2018 5:23:57 AM : Story Author : Ebenezer Adu-Larbi/Ghanadistricts.com

As part of the events to mark the 2017 World Rabies Day, Rabies in West Africa, Ghana (RIWAG), on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 presented a $4,000 worth of educational materials to the Municipal Education Directorate to be distributed to school children and some pasted in the community.

The items included banners, posters, tags, fliers, pen drives, stickers, and booklets on rabies prevention and tips to prevent dog bites and public awareness on responsible pet ownership.

The 2017 edition of the event which was themed; “Lets End Rabies Together…Zero at 30” was organized by Rabies in West Africa (RIWA Ghana), a local voluntary organization, in conjunction with the Ghana Veterinary Services, the Suhum Municipal Assembly and the World Animal Protection.

The event saw a host of dignitary from all over the world participate and share their experiences on the impact of rabies on humans and animals, provide information and advice on how to prevent the disease, and how individuals and organizations can help eliminate the main global courses.

The Suhum Municipal Chief Executive, Hon. Mrs. Margaret Darko Darkwah expressed her appreciation to RIWA Ghana and the World Animal protection for selecting Suhum Municipality to launch this year’s celebration. She said the event is an opportunity to unite with NGOs and other governmental agencies to share the good practices in the fight against the preventable menace.

She noted that Rabies claimed the lives of about ten (10) people in the Suhum Municipality, out of which eight (8) were children, hence the need to support the municipality in the vaccination of dogs and cats.

Madam Margaret Darko said with the support of donors and the Assembly, a total of about four thousand, one hundred and fifty (4,150) dogs and fifty-four (54) cats were vaccinated at a subsidized rate between 2014 and 2016.

She urged the assembly members, students and all others present at the function to help spread the message of the vaccination process.

The chairman for the occasion, Hon. Stephen K. Attatsi, former presiding member of Ketu North thanked RIWA Ghana for their initiatives and efforts to help eliminate rabies in West Africa and the world. He emphasized on the need to have CHIPS compound for dogs and also include them in the National Health Insurance Scheme, as dogs are very useful animals for security and other personal purposes.

He also stressed on the need for more involvement in the celebration of the World Rabies Day and the vaccination process.

The first dog was vaccinated by the Suhum MCE, assisted by the regional Veterinary Officer, Dr. Asiedu-Baah.

The event saw representatives from the World Animal Protection, Rabies in West Africa, Veterinary Services, Ghana Health Service, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana Education Service, the Suhum Municipal Assembly and Ghana Veterinary Medicine Students Association. The Municipal Police Commander as well the chiefs and people of Suhum were also present to witness the event.

In addition to the forum, the publics were invited to bring their pets for free vaccination at various centers created throughout the Suhum Municipality on the 29th and 30th of September 2017.