Dr. Meyir Ziekah Yiryele, a Wildlife Veterinary Epidemiologist at the Forestry Commission, has cautioned bushmeat traders to avoid direct contact with raw bushmeat.
He said exposure to bushmeat could increase the risk of contracting zoonotic diseases, which could have long-term health effects.
Dr. Yiryele was speaking at a meeting held in Accra to disseminate findings from a research study titled “Examining the Socioeconomic and Health Vulnerabilities of Female Bushmeat Traders in Ghana During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
“It is prudent for bushmeat traders to protect themselves from diseases transmitted from animals by wearing gloves and personal protective equipment when transporting bushmeat from the bush and preparing it for sale,” he said.
Zoonotic diseases are infectious diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans.
Dr. Yiryele noted that about 60 percent of infectious diseases affecting humans originate from animals, and 75 percent of re-emerging diseases come from wild animals.
Commenting on the research, Dr. Kofi Amponsah-Mensah, Director of Research at the Centre for Biodiversity Conservation Research, University of Ghana, emphasized that bushmeat—the meat of wild animals—is a crucial component of the Ghanaian food system.
He explained that bushmeat serves as a primary source of protein and income for many communities, especially for women engaged in bushmeat trading. However, the trade is associated with unsustainable hunting practices, habitat destruction, and the risk of zoonotic diseases.
Dr. Amponsah-Mensah added that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the supply chain and marketing of bushmeat, further marginalizing female bushmeat traders who often lack access to formal social protection programs.
The two-year research project, “Examining the Socioeconomic and Health Vulnerabilities of Female Bushmeat Traders in Ghana During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic,” assessed the socioeconomic vulnerabilities of female bushmeat traders in Ghana.
The study was funded under the Women RISE initiative, a collaborative effort between the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Council, and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
The research engaged female bushmeat traders at various levels, including wholesale, retail, and chop bar operators in Accra, Kumasi, and Buipe.
The report indicated that the bushmeat trade has been in decline since the Ebola outbreak in 2014, with further intensification during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It also revealed that many hunters have abandoned their traditional occupation, shifting instead to illegal mining or the construction industry.
The report found that 87 percent of women in the trade experienced a decline in income, leading to a 91 percent decrease in profit margins and a 79 percent reduction in savings and investments. This economic downturn has significantly impacted their mental and physical health.
To mitigate future shocks and sustain livelihoods, the research recommended the introduction of soft loan schemes and insurance for bushmeat traders.
Additionally, it suggested that female bushmeat traders be registered with the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to secure their future pension needs.
The report further recommended that women and their dependents be encouraged to enroll in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).