Sustainable Futures | 2026
Authors: Agjei R.O.
DOI: 10.1016/j.sftr.2025.101585
Journal: Sustainable Futures
Year: 2026
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Document Type: Article
Open Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access
Cited by: 0
Tick-borne diseases (TBDs) pose a growing threat to public health and economic stability in Ghana, particularly in communities that rely heavily on livestock. However, the extent and focus of research on the economic impact of TBDs remain unclear. This study examines the research landscape on the economic implications of tick-borne pathogens and diseases in Ghana from 2004 to 2024. Published articles were retrieved from the Web of Science database using keywords related to ‘ticks’, ‘tick-borne’, ‘pathogens’, and ‘Ghana’. The retrieved data were analyzed using the Bibliometrix R package, and visualization of networks and thematic structures was conducted using VOSviewer software (version 1.6.18). VOSviewer software was employed to visualize co-authorship networks, citation patterns, keyword co-occurrences, and thematic clusters. Descriptive statistics were used to assess trends in publication output over time. Results showed an increasing trend in publications since 2019, with prominent contributions from authors affiliated with the University of Ghana. Major research clusters focused on pathogens such as Anaplasma and Babesia and their economic impacts on livestock productivity. The results indicate a steady increase in scholarly publications over the past two decades, with a growing emphasis on the economic burden of TBDs, particularly in livestock-rearing populations. Major thematic areas identified include economic losses from livestock morbidity and mortality, pathogen transmission, and disease control strategies. Research collaboration is concentrated within a small number of academic institutions, with minimal engagement from government and international partners. Significant gaps persist, particularly in cost-effective interventions and sustainable tick control practices. The study highlights the need for a more coordinated and comprehensive research agenda that addresses the economic aspects of TBDs in Ghana. Strengthening partnerships between academia, governmental institutions, and non-governmental organizations is critical for generating relevant evidence to inform policy. Such collaboration can facilitate the development of targeted, cost-effective strategies to reduce economic losses and improve public health resilience in regions affected by ticks. © 2025 The Author(s)
and Ghana; Economic impact; Livestock; Tick-borne diseases; Tick-borne pathogens