An Exploratory Study of the Influence of Attitudes toward Animal Welfare on Meat Consumption in Ghana

Fuseini, Awal; Sulemana, Iddisah

doi:10.1007/s41055-018-0028-6

Cited by 10 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 64 publications

(64 reference statements)

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“…Dogs also serve commercial purposes as they are sold as pets or for food. In some parts of the country, dog markets are well-established and these animals serve as a delicacy for many [18].…”

Section: Zoonotic Transmissions From Companion Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zoonotic Risks from Domestic Animals in Ghana

Amissah-Reynolds

2020

IJPR

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Zoonoses are diseases or infections which are naturally transmitted from vertebrate animals to humans and vice versa. These infections account for more than half of human infections worldwide, with most cases reported in developing countries like Ghana. The Government of Ghana recently launched the “Rearing for Food and Jobs Campaign”, an initiative to bridge the glaring deficit in protein supply. This has resulted in increased livestock production nationwide in response to the increasing demand for animal protein. Increase in both human and livestock population in the country have implications for transmission of zoonotic diseases, as it allows for more frequent interactions between the two within a limited space. Multiple animals are kept in various homes at varying levels of confinement. Security concerns, particularly in urban areas, have resulted in an increased reliance on dogs, while financial considerations have mainly driven a rapid increase in livestock production both at commercial and smallholder levels. Taking into account that the pandemics in the past few decades have animal origins, this growing human-animal interconnection is of concern. Albeit an increased household-human-animal ratio, there is a paucity of epidemiological data on domestic animals in Ghana. Several zoonotic diseases have been reported in Ghana, including rabies, toxocariasis, toxoplasmosis, Q-fever, hepatitis E and brucellosis. Risk factors such as close contact with animals, poor hand hygiene, poor sanitation, and unvaccinated, free-ranging animals have been linked with zoonotic transmissions. Zoonoses have been recorded in homes, slaughterhouses, and on farms in farm workers, butchers, and vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, and HIV patients. A ‘One-Health’ approach, which comprises well-coordinated activities of both health and veterinary services, will facilitate timely diagnosis and effective control of zoonoses in Ghana.

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Section: Zoonotic Transmissions From Companion Animalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Zoonotic Risks from Domestic Animals in Ghana

Amissah-Reynolds

2020

IJPR

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“…As such, culture, religion, and geographical location are possible determinants of people's meat preference (Fuseini & Sulemana, 2018). In Ghana, some northern ethnic groups consider dog meat a major delicacy; however, people in southern regions abhor this practice (Ohene‐Adjei & Bediako, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As such, culture, religion, and geographical location are possible determinants of people's meat preference (Fuseini & Sulemana, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rabies virus in slaughtered dogs for meat consumption in Ghana: A potential risk for rabies transmission

Tasiame

El-Duah

Johnson

et al. 2021

Transbounding Emerging Dis

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Dog‐mediated rabies is responsible for approximately 60,000 human deaths annually worldwide. Although dog slaughter for human consumption and its potential risk for rabies transmission has been reported, mainly in some parts of Western Africa and South‐East Asia, more information on this and factors that influence dog meat consumption is required for a better understanding from places like Ghana where the practice is common. We tested 144 brain tissues from apparently healthy dogs slaughtered for human consumption for the presence of rabies viruses using a Lyssavirus‐specific real‐Time RT‐PCR. Positive samples were confirmed by virus genome sequencing. We also administered questionnaires to 541 dog owners from three regions in Ghana and evaluated factors that could influence dog meat consumption. We interacted with butchers and observed slaughtering and meat preparation procedures. Three out of 144 (2.1%) brain tissues from apparently healthy dogs tested positive for rabies virus RNA. Two of the viruses with complete genomes were distinct from one another, but both belonged to the Africa 2 lineage. The third virus with a partial genome fragment had high sequence identity to the other two and also belonged to the Africa 2 lineage. Almost half of the study participants practiced dog consumption [49% (265/541)]. Males were almost twice (cOR = 1.72, 95% CI (1.17–2.52), p‐value = .006) as likely to consume dog meat compared to females. Likewise, the Frafra tribe from northern Ghana [cOR = 825.1, 95% CI (185.3–3672.9), p‐value < .0001] and those with non‐specific tribes [cOR = 47.05, 95% CI (10.18–217.41), p‐value < .0001] presented with higher odds of dog consumption compared to Ewes. The butchers used bare hands in meat preparation. This study demonstrates the presence of rabies virus RNA in apparently healthy dogs slaughtered for human consumption in Ghana and suggests a potential risk for rabies transmission. Veterinary departments and local assemblies are recommended to monitor and regulate this practice.

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“…Despite the popularity of pre-slaughter stunning in the industrialised world, it appears to be a relatively new slaughter technique in the developing economies, including Ghana (Adzitey et al , 2011). This is probably due to lack of education on the importance of stunning, or simply due to economic reasons (Fuseini and Sulemana, 2018). To improve this situation, a Dutch-based animal welfare charity organisation, Eyes on Animals (EonA), donated humane slaughter equipment, including captive bolt pistols to several slaughterhouses in Ghana to improve the welfare of animals at slaughter.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meat consumers and Islamic scholars’ understanding of humane slaughter, and effects of pre-slaughter stunning on meat purchasing decisions in Ghana

Badu

Teye

Bannor

et al. 2021

JIMA

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Purpose This paper aims to seek the understanding and opinion of meat consumers and Islamic scholars in Ghana, on preslaughter stunning of livestock, and its effects on meat patronage by consumers. Design/methodology/approach A total of 170 meat consumers and 19 Islamic Scholars were interviewed to examine their perception and levels of understanding of pre-slaughter stunning of livestock, and whether stunning had any influence on their meat purchasing decisions. Descriptive statistics and Probit regression model were used to analyse the data obtained. Findings It was observed that majority (94.4%) of the meat consumers had no idea on what pre-slaughter stunning of livestock entails. However, 32.7% concurred that stunning is capable of reducing the pain associated with neck cutting of slaughter animals. Evidence from the Probit analysis suggested that variables such as age, marital status, religion, source of meat, product label and Muslims’ religiosity negatively influenced the willingness to consume meat from animals stunned prior to slaughter. In contrast, variables such as gender, knowledge on stunning, beef as the preferred meat, pain reduction and knowledge on stunning, positively influenced the willingness to consume same. The level of education and knowledge on pre-stunning is associated with the acceptance of pre-slaughter stunning of livestock among Islamic Scholars Research limitations/implications Even though the study is Islamic oriented, majority of the respondents except the Islamic scholars were non-Muslims. Given this, the implications of the study have been differentiated for both Muslims and non-Muslims. Practical implications The findings present an opportunity for researchers, retailers and Islamic scholars to increase education around different slaughter technologies so that consumers can understand these methods to make informed purchasing decisions. Higher educational institutions such as agriculture and veterinary schools can also use the findings to develop future modules around animal welfare. The research can also inform governments, non-governmental organisations and retailers in the formulation of future policies on animal welfare. Further research is also needed to investigate the welfare aspects of slaughter with and without stunning and how to address any lapses in animal welfare. Social implications From animal welfare standpoint, the results may be interpreted to imply that consumers’ purchasing decisions are not based on animal welfare indices. From halal perspective, it implies that Muslims are consuming products that may have been slaughtered using stunning techniques that contravene the rules of halal slaughter. Originality/value Despite the popularity of pre-slaughter stunning and relative literature in the industrialised world, it appears to be less researched in developing countries like Ghana. Besides, there is a lack of consensus among Islamic jurists in interpreting Islamic scriptures on pre-stunning. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of studies on the reasons apart from the interpretation of Islamic scriptures, which influences Islamic scholars' stance on pre-stunning in Ghana.

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An Exploratory Study of the Influence of Attitudes toward Animal Welfare on Meat Consumption in Ghana

Cited by 10 publications

References 64 publications

Zoonotic Risks from Domestic Animals in Ghana

Zoonotic Risks from Domestic Animals in Ghana

Rabies virus in slaughtered dogs for meat consumption in Ghana: A potential risk for rabies transmission

Meat consumers and Islamic scholars’ understanding of humane slaughter, and effects of pre-slaughter stunning on meat purchasing decisions in Ghana

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