Policy on Antimicrobial Use and Resistance for Ghana.

Ghana's National Strategic Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a cross-sectoral policy document. The overall goal of this policy is to improve and sustain the health of the population (human, animal and plants) in their environment and enhancing food security by ensuring the responsible use and access to safe, effective and affordable antimicrobials of good quality as well as slow the emergence of resistant microbes and prevent the spread of resistant infections in ‘’one-health’’ approach.
According to the Policy, in crop production, the replacement of existing fungicides with new ones at regular intervals may be an indication of development of resistance by pests and diseases to the former. It may be inferred that waste water from livestock and poultry establishments and other rubbish dumps serve as sources of spread of resistant pathogens. Untreated manure may also contribute to the spread of resistant microbes in the soil and the environment. This has its serious implications and consequences for food and nutrition security.
In this policy, interventions in areas such as responsible use of antimicrobials, infection prevention and control, waste management, strengthening disease control programmes, laboratory diagnostics and protocols, national surveillance for antimicrobials, regulation and enforcement, antimicrobial manufacturing, distribution and use, and legislative and legal framework are designed to contribute to strengthening policies and strategies for animal health, plant health and food safety and quality, so as to enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. The objectives are to: i. Improve awareness and understanding of AMR through effective communication, education and training ii. Strengthen knowledge and evidence base through surveillance and research iii. Reduce the incidence of infection through effective sanitation, hygiene and infection prevention measures and good agricultural and biosecurity practices iv. Optimize the use of antimicrobial agents in human and animal health, aquaculture and crop production v. Develop the economic case and create an enabling environment for sustainable investment that takes account of the needs of Ghana, and increase investment in new medicines, diagnostic tools, vaccines and other interventions. In emphasizing these areas and the policy actions recommended, attention has been given to the best available evidence, stakeholder concerns and inputs, the life-saving value of antimicrobial medicines in disease management, global action on AMR and the socio-economic environment.