The Veterinary Services Department of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has begun a free mass rabies vaccination campaign targeting 25,000 dogs and cats in identified high-risk areas across Ghana.
The campaign, which runs throughout September 2026, forms part of Ghana’s efforts to achieve zero human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030 and coincides with World Rabies Month 2026, being observed under the theme “Stronger Together.”
According to the Veterinary Services Department, vaccination will be provided free of charge during September, after which prescribed fees will apply.
The Department is also intensifying public education through schools, religious institutions, traditional authorities, traditional and social media, and community engagements. Educational materials and audio messages will be disseminated in Twi, Ga, Ewe and Hausa.
Pet owners have been urged to vaccinate their dogs and cats against rabies every year and to report animal bites or scratches immediately to the nearest health facility.
They have also been advised to report animals involved in bite or scratch incidents to the nearest veterinary centre.
The Department warned that rabies is virtually 100 per cent fatal once symptoms develop, although the disease is preventable through vaccination. Failure to vaccinate a pet may also constitute an offence under applicable Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly (MMDA) bye-laws.
The Veterinary Services Department has called on MMDAs, civil society organisations, religious and traditional authorities, development partners and private-sector organisations to support the campaign through vaccines, logistics, public education and community mobilisation.
The campaign is part of broader efforts by the Veterinary Services Department to prevent the transmission of rabies from animals to humans and reduce rabies-related deaths in Ghana.