UK partners Ghana for sustainable agriculture
The United Kingdom (UK) is proud to partner Ghana in advancing sustainable agriculture and climate resilience through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)-Animal Health System Strengthening (AHSS) Project in the country, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, Harriet Thompson, has said.
The initiative, she said, was not only protecting pollinators and biodiversity but also empowering women, youth and academic institutions to lead the way in innovation and inclusive development.
“On World Bee Day, we celebrate the power of collaboration to create lasting impact," she said in a reflection to mark World Bee Day Accra.
World Bee Day, which is celebrated annually, raises awareness of the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy.
The 2025 theme: “Bee Engaged with Youth”, emphasises the importance of involving young people in beekeeping and pollinator conservation.
Project
The AHSS project in Ghana is part of a flagship, UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) funded bilateral technical partnership between its Defra and countries in Africa, including Ghana, Zambia and The Gambia.
It aims to increase resilience against climate change-induced shocks across the animal health sector; strengthen competent authority ability to reduce the burden of animal disease associated with climate change; and improve livelihoods by strengthening livestock assets, particularly among the rural poor (including women, small farm-holders and other marginalised groups), by reducing loss attributed to disease and climate change vulnerability through strengthened animal health systems.
Highlighting the benefits of the AHSS project, the Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at KNUST, Professor Benjamin Emikpe, said: "The AHSS Project has been a game-changer for Ghana’s honeybee sector.
It has strengthened our veterinary education, created new economic opportunities for rural communities, and positioned Ghana as a leader in climate-smart beekeeping.
We are grateful for the UK’s support and look forward to deepening this partnership for the benefit of our people and environment."
The AHSS Project is contributing to poverty reduction by creating income-generating opportunities, supporting rural entrepreneurship, and promoting honey as a viable export commodity.
Ghana’s honey market grew by 25% in 2023, reaching a value of $154,000.
The project, which aligns with Ghana’s Climate Prosperity Plan and National Adaptation Plan, supports biodiversity conservation, green jobs, and sustainable agriculture.
It also advances the UK Foreign Secretary’s 2024 priorities of reconnecting with the Global South, addressing climate change, and promoting inclusive development.
The UK Government’s support through the Defra-AHSS Project is a model for impactful international cooperation.
By investing in education, research and community engagement, the project is helping Ghana build a resilient and innovative honeybee sector.
The statement said the AHSS Project was empowering Ghana’s institutions, women, and academic communities through climate-smart beekeeping, inclusive enterprise and modern veterinary education.
Manual
The project has led to the creation of Ghana’s first Bee Health Manual, the establishment of apiaries, and the integration of bee health into university curricula.
Through the project, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Ghana have formed academic partnerships with UK institutions, including the University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, University of Surrey, and the Royal Veterinary College.
These collaborations have resulted in specialised training for Ghanaian academics, curriculum development, and strengthened veterinary education.
