Due to the increased demand for skin and meat, donkeys are in danger
Due to the perception that donkey skin and meat offer health advantages in other nations, notably in traditional Chinese medicine, the Upper East and North-East Regions of Ghana have increased their consumption of donkey skin and meat. A concern to the donkey population and a potential factor in the extinction of the species in these…
Due to the perception that donkey skin and meat offer health advantages in other nations, notably in traditional Chinese medicine, the Upper East and North-East Regions of Ghana have increased their consumption of donkey skin and meat.
A concern to the donkey population and a potential factor in the extinction of the species in these areas is the increased hunting and illicit trade brought on by the rising demand for these items.
Dr. Roger Kanton, the head of the Ghana Poultry Network (GAPNET), and Donyaepa addressed the media about the pressing need to stop the hunting and sale of donkeys during a stakeholder engagement on July 6th, 2023, which was conducted in Bolgatanga.
Dr. Kanton highlighted that if this practise is not halted, the number of donkeys might decline considerably over the next few years.
Dr. Kanton emphasised the ecological effects while elaborating on the significance of donkeys as working animals in rural areas, helping with farming, transportation, and other critical duties. The lives of farmers and communities who depend on them might be negatively impacted by their absence since it can cause disruptions in local economies and agricultural practises.
Dr. Kanton urged the government and other pertinent institutions to strengthen the 2016 law prohibiting the slaughter of donkeys after realising the gravity of the issue.
To combat unlawful hunting and trading, he underlined the necessity for greater law enforcement. Dr. Kanton pleaded with the legislature to approve the bill, arguing that by working together, we can assure the survival of donkeys and preserve the delicate balance of ecosystems.
The Ghana Poultry Network (GAPNET) and Donyaepa organised the stakeholder engagement, while BROOKE, a global nonprofit organisation devoted to enhancing the welfare of horses, donkeys, and mules, provided financial support.
