The National Livestock Day, set for October 3 to 4, 2024, at Efua Sutherland Park in Accra, would celebrate the sector's crucial contribution in job creation, nutrition, and food security.

Dr. Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, launched the initiative at a brief ceremony in Accra on Tuesday.

The event, organized by the Ghana National Association of Cattle Farmers (GNACAF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and the Ministry of National Security, would be dedicated to ruminant livestock.

The event would be held on the theme: “A Thriving Livestock Industry towards Sustainable Food Security and Economic Growth.”

It would highlight a diverse array of ruminant livestock breeds, along with a discount on meat products for the public.

Dr. Acheampong described the event as a significant milestone, adding that the celebration would highlight the critical role of the livestock industry in Ghana's economy, nutrition security and sustainable development.

He said the Ministry was aware of the challenges in the sector and assured that the government would continue to implement policies to improve the sector and the livelihoods of farmers, as well as strengthen Ghana’s position in the global livestock market.

The Minister encouraged livestock farmers to adopt semi-intensive and intensive livestock farming systems to increase productivity while preserving natural resources.

“We are also promoting knowledge sharing within the sector to help our farmers adopt best practices and modern techniques that will enable them to compete at the global level,” he added.

Imam Hanafi Sonde, President of GNACAF, announced a nationwide tour to educate livestock farmers, processors, and the public about the value of livestock in food security and the economy.

“Our aim is to create a platform for knowledge exchange, promote dialogue among stakeholders and address key challenges facing the sector,” he said.

Dr. Doris Yaa Osei, Micro-Livestock Specialist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Animal Research Institute, said livestock contributed not only to food and nutrition security, but also to crop farming, footwear, and bag manufacturing.

She said the CSIR had developed several technologies such as the improved livestock, poultry breeds, feed production, as well as value addition to livestock products, and good quality pasture materials.

“The CSIR-Animal Research Institute assures the nation of its willingness to work assiduously in collaboration with MoFA and key stakeholders in the livestock value chain towards achieving national self-sufficiency in food and nutritional security, “she said.