Monrovia, Liberia – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), through its Emergency Centre for Trans boundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) program, has kick-off the Regional Annual Quality Assurance Roadmap Training in Monrovia. The training brings together participants from 13 countries across West and Central Africa, united in their commitment to enhancing veterinary diagnostic capacities and quality assurance systems vital to safeguarding public health.
The event underscores FAO’s ongoing collaboration with international partners such as the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR). These organizations are working collectively to improve quality assurance (QA) systems in veterinary laboratories. Reliable and accurate diagnostic results from these laboratories are critical for protecting animal health, preventing disease outbreaks, and contributing to global health security.
During the opening ceremony, Madam Bintia Stephen Tchicaya, FAO’s Representative (AI) in Liberia, set the tone for the workshop by emphasizing the shared responsibility in maintaining animal and public health. In her keynote address, she posed the fundamental question: “What does it mean to truly safeguard our health and the health of our animals?” She noted that the answer lies in building robust diagnostic systems capable of detecting and preventing diseases, both for animal and human populations.
Tchicaya extended heartfelt appreciation to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for its steadfast support. She noted that, since the 2014 Ebola outbreak, USAID has invested over $2.5 billion in strengthening public health systems and the capacity to respond to infectious diseases. This, she said, has laid the groundwork for the ongoing efforts to build stronger veterinary laboratories capable of handling emerging disease threats.
This collaboration with USAID, she continued, has been instrumental in advancing regional veterinary diagnostic systems. The FAO-led regional quality assurance program, initiated in 2009, has successfully accredited national laboratories in Cameroon, Nigeria, and Senegal.
These laboratories, adhering to rigorous international standards, play a pivotal role in mitigating the risks posed by zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance. Liberia’s Deputy Minister for Regional Development, Research, and Extension at the Ministry of Agriculture, Hon. Moses R. Gbanyan, also addressed the gathering, stressing the critical role of quality management systems in veterinary diagnostics.
Gbanyan highlighted the importance of delivering accurate test results, which increase trust in laboratory services and strengthen public health responses. He praised FAO’s efforts in supporting the government of Liberia in its mission to improve the country’s veterinary infrastructure and capabilities. The significance of this training extends beyond laboratory systems, reflecting a broader regional and global effort to ensure that health systems are equipped to meet the challenges posed by both existing and emerging diseases.
With technical support from partners such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS), the University of Georgia, and France Vétérinaire International (FVI), this workshop offers a platform for experts to share experiences, build networks, and strengthen the region’s diagnostic capabilities.
In his remarks, Dr. Armando Cotrina, USAID’s Global Health Security Advisor, applauded Liberia’s progress in laboratory diagnostics. He highlighted the remarkable achievements of Liberia’s Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL), which earned a 100% score in proficiency testing for Brucellosis, Rabies, and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR). Cotrina also noted that the CVL’s quality manager had been certified following FAO-IATA infectious substance shipment training, further cementing Liberia’s leadership in laboratory quality management.
Over the five days, participants from 13 FAO-ECTAD countries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are engaging in discussions aimed at enhancing veterinary diagnostic standards. Central to the discussions are the evaluation of progress made on quality assurance roadmaps, the appointment of regional QA focal points, and the refinement of national QA standards.
The workshop is not just about evaluating current capacities, but also about preparing for the future by fostering cross-border collaboration and building regional networks that support high standards in veterinary diagnostics. Experts are also receiving targeted training in implementing quality management systems that comply with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards, further advancing the region’s diagnostic capabilities. The event underscores FAO’s Strategic Framework, which focuses on transforming food and agricultural systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The workshop serves as a reminder that quality veterinary diagnostic systems are crucial for achieving better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for communities across the region.
As the workshop progresses, participants are being equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to implement effective quality assurance systems in their home countries. FAO and its partners, including USAID, are reaffirming their commitment to fortifying veterinary diagnostics in West and Central Africa ensuring that the region is better prepared to address the health challenges of tomorrow.
Reported by: Simeon S. Wiakanty
Contact: +231881538878
