One Health implementation in Ghana: a perspective on policy development and institutional change

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Policy
• Social Sciences

Background:

• The One Health approach is recognized in Ghana for strengthening health security.
• Understanding the political and institutional context is crucial for One Health implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze narratives surrounding the One Health approach in Ghana.
• To examine how these narratives influence intersectoral collaboration and policy change.

Main Methods:

• Document review (published, reports, gray literature).
• Stakeholder interviews and questionnaires.

Main Results:

• Ghana's One Health policy development is a notable achievement, establishing a formal framework and intersectoral mechanisms.
• Current narratives often perpetuate institutional silos in planning and implementation.
• Existing structures may not be sufficient for the required transformative change.

Conclusions:

• While Ghana has made progress in One Health policy, overcoming institutional silos is essential for effective implementation.
• Further research is needed to bridge policy structures with ground-level realities for successful One Health initiatives.