Abstract
A study was designed to identify factors perceived by veterinarians and veterinary technicians as likely to promote private veterinary practice in Ghana. The participatory appraisal approach was used. The response rates were 88% (n = 90), 100% (n = 100) and 86% (n = 9) for government field veterinarians, private veterinarians and government veterinary technicians, respectively. Significant proportions of government field veterinarians (67%, n = 79), and veterinary technicians (64%, n = 167) were willing to go into private practice if the necessary push was given. Factors perceived as likely to motivate them to go into private practice included availability of capital to cover start-up costs; provision of a vehicle; prospect of higher income; availability of loans with low interest rates; availability of credit facilities from suppliers; stable macroeconomic environment with low interest and inflation rates; high pet, poultry and livestock populations at locations earmarked for private practice; leasing of vacant government premises for use as clinic and for accommodation; and enforcement of legislation on private practice, especially that against moonlighting by government veterinarians and technicians. These should be considered and used in the promotion of private veterinary practice in Ghana.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Akyeampong, M.K.S., 1994. Keynote address. Proceedings of Ghana Animal Science Association Symposium, 22, 1–6
Catley, A., 2000. The use of participatory appraisal by veterinarians in Africa. Revue Scientifique et Technique de l'Office des Internationale des Epizooties, 19, 702–714
De Haan, C. and Bekure, S., 1991. Animal Health Services in Sub-Saharan Africa. Initial Experiences with Alternative Approaches, (Technical paper 134; The World Bank, Washington DC)
FAO, 1997. Principles for rational delivery of public and private veterinary services with reference to Africa. FAO Electronic Conference on Principles for Rational Delivery of Public and Private Veterinary Services, January–April 1997
Grant, G., 1996. Privatization and the Veterinary Services -A Jamaican Perspective, (Jamaica Veterinary Medical Association Golden Jubilee Souvenir publication), 28–34
Holden, S., 1999. The economics of the delivery of veterinary services. Revue Scientifique et Technique de l'Office des Internationale des Epizooties, 18, 425–439
Knichel, W. and Gyening, K.O., 1989. Study on Privatization of Veterinary Services in Ghana, (Final Report submitted to EEC)
Odeyemi, I.A.O., 1994. A Review of the Policy to Privatize Animal Health Care Delivery Services in Nigeria, (Report submitted to Edinburgh University Development Fund, University of Edinburgh)
Odeyemi, I.A.O., 1996. Economics of private veterinary practices: concepts on viability. Proceedings of the Tanzanian Veterinary Association Conference, Arusha, Tanzania
Turkson, P.K., 1998. Systems analysis of privatization of animal health delivery services in Ghana and Jamaica, (PhD thesis, North Carolina State University)
Turkson, P.K., 2001. Implications of the liberalization of veterinary drug marketing in Ghana. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 33, 43–47
Turkson, P.K. and Brownie, C.F., 1999. Perceived constraints to privatization of veterinary services in Ghana. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 31, 103–114
Wamukoya, J.P.O., Gathuma, J.W. and Mutiga, E.R., 1995. Spontaneous Private Veterinary Practices Evolved in Kenya Since 1988, (Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Turkson, P. Promotion of Private Veterinary Practice in Ghana: Perceptions of Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians. Tropical Animal Health and Production 36, 413–425 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:TROP.0000035010.09357.d3
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:TROP.0000035010.09357.d3