Ghana rolls out mobile app to strengthen animal health surveillance
The Events Mobile Application Plus aims to improve disease reporting and response across the livestock sector.
GHANA – Ghana has taken another step toward digital livestock management with the nationwide launch of the Events Mobile Application Plus (EMA-i+), a mobile tool designed to strengthen surveillance of animal diseases and improve coordination among veterinary services.
On September 26, Minister of Agriculture Eric Opoku officially introduced the application, developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), during a ceremony in Accra.
The system allows veterinarians and field workers to report outbreaks of diseases such as rabies, anthrax, and avian flu in real time. It also extends to aquatic species, bees, and wildlife, beyond the traditional livestock focus.
“The digitalization of our surveillance systems has already tripled the number of reports since its pilot in 2018,” said Mr. Opoku. “This tool will allow us to act faster and protect farmers from devastating losses.”
The application builds on a pilot program that began in 2018. During that phase, authorities tested its potential to replace paper reporting, which often delayed responses to outbreaks.
According to FAO’s acting representative in Ghana, Priya Gujadhur, the new system has cut transmission times drastically. “EMA-i+ has reduced the time taken to transmit information from two to three months with the paper system to about 30 minutes today,” she explained.
Private sector still on the sidelines
While the government is driving this digital shift, Ghana’s private sector has shown limited involvement in animal health technology.
One exception is Cowtribe, a startup that began operations in 2016. It uses mobile telephony to distribute and market veterinary vaccines, targeting rural farmers who often live far from veterinary clinics.
The company has become an important player in preventing animal mortality, yet it remains the only identified startup in Ghana fully dedicated to digital animal health.
Analysts argue that expanding this ecosystem could help rural farmers access better services and limit the spread of transboundary diseases.
The Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (IBAR) estimates that animal diseases cost sub-Saharan Africa about 4 billion dollars annually, representing roughly 25 percent of the total value of animal production.
Connectivity gaps may slow progress
Despite the promise of EMA-i+, challenges remain. Internet access in rural areas is still limited, which could restrict the app’s reach. Official data shows that Ghana had 24.3 million internet users at the start of 2025, with penetration at 69.9 percent.
However, rural-urban differences remain wide. In 2021, about 80 percent of urban youth aged 15 to 29 used the internet, compared to only 54 percent in rural areas.
Observers note that the success of this initiative will depend on addressing such disparities. Expanding infrastructure and ensuring that farmers in remote regions can access the technology will determine how far EMA-i+ can go in improving animal health.
The launch of EMA-i+ adds Ghana to a growing list of African countries exploring digital tools for agriculture. Similar mobile surveillance systems have been introduced in Tanzania and Uganda with support from FAO, pointing to a wider regional move toward digital solutions in animal health.
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