By Bill W. Cooper
Several health practitioners, including professors of African universities and interim students, have begun a three-day West Africa One Health workshop (West Africa, One Health) intended to collaborate regionally for a safer future in West Africa.
Held in Paynesville, the workshop also aimed to share research findings from regional collaborative research on understanding, mitigating and preventing disease in West Africa from One Health perspective.
The West Africa One Health workshop, which is expected to run from March 26-28, 2025, is being held under the theme: “One Health in Action: Strengthening Regional Collaboration for a Safer Future.”
In his opening remarks, National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) Deputy Director General for Technical Services, Julius S.W Gilayeneh, thanked the organizers for hosting the workshop, which he described as timely.
Dr. Gilayeneh, however, noted that over the past three years, the research project team of West Africa has been able to collaborate with stakeholders from Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea and other major stakeholders to implement the One Health Project in Liberia.
He added, “Over the years, we have been able to collaborate regionally; as we move towards the concept of one health sector, it is very important to strengthen stakeholder engagement across the one health sector, including involving community members in matters that have to do with their health.”
The Professor of Public Health, Njala University from Sierra Leone, Rashid Ansumana, for his part, intoned that the research project team of West Africa has, over the years, advanced critical research across four African countries with a shared committee to build residence health systems, strengthening research capacity and promoting equality in policy and practice.
Prof. Ansumana also indicated that during the various sessions, participants will reflect on the methodology used, lessons learned and how participants can further strengthen skills, especially for mentees who represent the next general of one health researcher.
According to him, mentees will also have more space to explore sub-skill writing about leadership and collaboration, and he emphasized, “This workshop is designed as a space for dig engagement.”
He maintained that it is a way to celebrate the process that has been made and also set the tone for impactful dissemination. He added, “Your active participation will be crucial in shipping each country presentation and upcoming management as well as a conversation plan for the days ahead.”
Prof. Ansumana then applauded the participants for their delegation, collaborative spirit, and commitment to excellence in research and practice, as well as the government through NPHIL for the warm welcome accorded them as visiting guests.
Meanwhile, participants are expected to review and discuss projects that have been researched from various countries and extended partners; there will also be engagement with stakeholders and policymakers during the second day.
