The northern part of Ghana is facing unreliable food supply. In particular, due to insufficient animal protein supply, the physical development of children is greatly delayed compared with children in the southern part of the country. The harsh climatic conditions in that region makes rearing of conventional livestock very difficult. Since 2010 we have been collaborating to domesticate the large rodent named grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) as a new livestock species in Ghana. In 2014, we started to support the breeding of grasscutters in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Since hunting wildlife is likely to adversely impact the ecological balance and involves the risk of zoonotic infection, we are promoting grasscutter domestication to secure safe animal protein for the local people.

This grasscutter project was sponsored by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), KAKENHI, JSPS Bilateral Joint Research Project and JST aXis Project. Also, we launched a new NGO, Grasscutter Initiative for Rural Transformation (GIfT), to continue the mission of the grasscutter project through the support of the Ajinomoto AIN program and Innovate UK. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to these donors for their support.

As a result of our activities for 11 years, the number of captive grasscutters in the target area increased and farmers have started to get benefits by selling and consuming reared grasscutters. In addition, breeding facilities for improved breeding were set up at the Livestock and Poultry Research Centre of the University of Ghana. Although our activities were limited due to the global spread of COVID19, the dedication of the local staff enabled us to sustain our network by connecting Wa, Accra and Japan through online platforms. To ensure long-term preservation and boost sales, we have initiated the commercialization of canned grasscutter meat. We have developed the product, secured the site for manufacturing, and obtained certification from the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA).

Through our collaborations, Mr. Xorlali Azimey is now studying at the Graduate School of Kyoto University. In 2025, he presented preliminary results on candidate genes for grasscutter domestication at the annual conference of Japan Association of African Studies. Also, Prof. Boniface B. Kayang, a co-director of GIfT, stayed in Japan for three months this year as a Visiting Professor of Kyoto University. He contributed to mutual collaboration through seminars, lectures and research of Ghanaian animals. We are delighted that GIfT staff, Titus Dery, was awarded a doctorate degree (Ph.D.) for the research on "Risk attitude and market valuation for grasscutter meat".

I would like to express a heartfelt thanks to MOFA, farmers, project members, and supporting organizations for their tremendous contributions for such a long period to achieve successful results. I hope that there will be unprecedented progress in nutrition improvement and economic development in this region.