Profile of Veterinarians and Veterinary Practice in Ghana |
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Authors: | Turkson PK |
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Institution: | (1) Animal Science Department, School of Agriculture, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana |
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Abstract: | This paper presents a profile of veterinary practice and veterinarians in Ghana, as assessed through secondary data and a
questionnaire. In all, 123 veterinarians responded, giving a response rate of 85% (123/145). Analysis of the secondary data
from 1986–95 revealed that Veterinary Livestock Units (VLU) per veterinarian ranged from 10000 to 16000 and VLU per technical
support staff ranged from 2000 to 3000. However, the distribution of the staff within the country was poor, resulting in very
high ratios for the Northern, Upper East, Upper West and Volta Regions and low ratios for Central, Ashanti and Eastern Regions.
The bulk of the respondents (78%) had 15 or fewer years of experience, with the overall mean being 12 years. The most common
animal species handled were small ruminants and the most common activities were prevention/treatment of worms, surgery and
giving advice. Lack of transport ranked highest among the constraints to veterinary work. The perceived determinants of effective
and efficient service delivery were the availability and efficiency of means of transport, adequacy of logistics, remuneration
for staff in rural posts and farmer education in husbandry practices. The respondents perceived poor management techniques
of farmers and lack of credit as major factors hindering livestock production in Ghana. The implications of these and other
findings are discussed.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | cost recovery Ghana job satisfaction privatization remuneration staffing levels transport veterinary services |
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