Preserving Donkey Population: Stakeholders Unite Against Extinction in Ghana

In the face of a growing threat to the donkey population in Ghana, the non-governmental organization Donyaepa has taken the lead in uniting stakeholders to fight against the extinction of these essential animals. The endeavor, known as the Fight Against Donkey Extinction (FADE) Project, is a multifaceted advocacy initiative designed to safeguard donkeys from vanishing entirely, especially in West Africa.

The core objectives of the FADE Project encompass halting the alarming trends of mass donkey slaughtering and trafficking, while also crafting a comprehensive legal framework to counteract the clandestine trade and slaughter of these creatures within Ghana. The project, undertaken in collaboration with the Ghana Poultry Network (GAPNET), has already initiated pilot programs in select regions, including the West Mamprusi Municipal area in the North East Region and Bolgatanga Municipal, Bongo District, and Kassena-Nankana West in the Upper East Region.

At a recent engagement held in Nalerigu, Professor Roger Kanton, the Advocacy Officer of the FADE Project, elucidated the primary aim of this endeavor: garnering the support of stakeholders to combat the looming specter of donkey extinction and safeguard their population, particularly in Northern Ghana. Kanton highlighted concerning statistics, indicating that the donkey population in Ghana, once numbering around 15,000 five years ago, has significantly dwindled, predominantly in the northern regions.

Kanton attributed this alarming decline to the operations of Chinese hide traders in partnership with local collaborators, who have established a donkey slaughterhouse known as the Blue Coast Slaughter in the West Mamprusi Municipality. With the slaughterhouse reportedly processing as many as 100 to 150 donkeys daily, the consequences of this unregulated practice are dire.

The engagement with stakeholders, which included regional officials, traditional authorities, and security agencies, sought to address this pressing issue. Advocates are calling for the closure of the Blue Coast Slaughterhouse and the implementation of stringent measures to halt illegal donkey slaughtering and trafficking. Collaborative efforts are crucial to preserving these animals that hold significant benefits for local communities. As the FADE Project continues to champion the cause, the hope remains that through collective action and informed advocacy, Ghana can prevent the extinction of these vital creatures and secure their future.