As the world still grapples with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, many other health issues continue to affect communities worldwide. In Ghana, one such issue is rabies, a deadly viral disease that is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals – most commonly, dogs.
In an effort to combat the disease, Ghanaian beauty queen Aiko Adade (1st runner-up, Ghana’s Most Beautiful, GMB, 2022) birthed Project Eleutheros under the Aikoadade Foundation. Queen Aiko, over the weekend, joined efforts with Queen Teiya Dahamani (GMB 2022 Winner) and Queen Asiedua Afanyi Arhin (2nd runner-up, GMB 2022) in the execution of a mass rabies vaccination campaign in the Oti Region of Ghana.
This campaign is in satisfaction of Queen Aiko’s vision to advance the World Health Organization’s Zero by 30 Agenda, the global strategic plan to end human deaths from dog-mediated rabies by 2030, starting from her region, Oti.
Rabies is a serious public health issue in Ghana, where an estimated 30 percent of the dog population is infected with the virus. While the disease can be prevented through vaccination, many dogs in Ghana are not vaccinated due to lack of awareness, access to veterinary services, poverty, and cultural beliefs.
Rabies is also a significant economic burden on Ghana, as the country spends millions of cedis each year on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for individuals who have been bitten by a rabid animal.
Queen Aiko, who doubles as the Rabies Prevention Ambassador of Ghana and a Development Queen, has made it her mission to tackle rabies in her region and country at large. She recently partnered with local veterinarians, the Accra Veterinary Laboratory (AVL), the Ghana Veterinary Service Directorate (VSD), Breakthrough Action, Distribution Direct, and animal welfare organisations to launch a mass rabies vaccination campaign in the Oti Region of Ghana, targetting the locals in the Jasikan Municipality.
The vaccination exercise comes after she rounded up a mass rabies awareness campaign in New Ayoma, Akpafu, Baika – in the Guan District of the Oti region, and Nkwanta North and South. The vaccination campaign in Jasikan covered an estimated 367-pet population, distributed across the designated locations in the Jasikan Municipality: Kotokoli Zongo, Hausa Zongo, Nestella, Low Cost, Gabusu, Community Centre, and Sharp Corner.
Queen Aiko, a level 400 Veterinary Medicine student, was inspired to take action after learning about the devastating impact of rabies on both humans and animals. “Rabies is a preventable disease, and no one should suffer or die from it,” she says.
“I knew I had to do something to make a difference, and I needed it done at a young age; so I started looking for a platform that will amplify my voice, yes, my voice on the menace of rabies. The more reason why I deferred my programme in school for the famous Ghana’s Most Beautiful Contest, and it is propelling my vision so far.”
The campaign was not without its challenges. Queen Aiko and her team, with support from Akosua Kumi of Animal Aider Project, faced logistical hurdles – such as transportation across the widely dispersed locations, hard-eyed weather, rain, communication as well as resistance from some community members who were sceptical of the vaccine. However, they persevered and ultimately succeeded in vaccinating about 36 pets and educating about 108 households.
The impact of the campaign is already being felt in the Oti R egion. Local officials and community members have praised the Queen’s efforts and expressed their gratitude for the vaccination campaign.
Queen Aiko Adade (1st runner-up, Ghana’s Most Beautiful – 2022)
“This campaign is a game-changer for our community,” says Christian Ziorklui, a local resident and lead advocate for the Buem Project. “We now have peace of mind knowing that our dogs are protected from rabies, and our community is safer as a result.” The exercise also received immediate commendation from Dr. Theophilus Odoom, Head and Director of the Accra Veterinary Laboratory.
Looking to the future, Queen Aiko plans to expand the campaign to other regions of Ghana with the necessary sponsorship and partnership to continue to raise awareness about the importance of rabies vaccination. “We cannot stop until every dog in Ghana is vaccinated,” she says.
The mass rabies vaccination campaign in the Oti Region is just one example of the impact that individuals can have when they take action to address public health issues. As Aiko demonstrates, even small initiatives can make a significant difference in the lives of people and animals.
I take this medium to call on support and sponsorships for this vision from corporate Ghana and all well-meaning individuals as she remains open to support at [email protected].
>>>the writer is an Analyst & Social Impact Enthusiast. He can be reached via +233547691370 and or [email protected]
