A survey on trade in wildlife parts in the Northern Region of Ghana

The faunal diversity of Ghana is seriously threatened due to the overexploitation of wildlife species. Increasing human population and urbanization, including illegal wildlife trade results in increasing demand for wildlife and their by-products. The study investigated the profile of trade in wildlife parts in the Northern region of Ghana. Data were collected from 31 wildlife vendors using structured questionnaires. The results indicated that men were the majority (27; 87.1%) in the trade whilst women (4; 12.9%) were in minority. Majority of the traders (16; 51.6%) considered the trade as an alternative source of livelihood. A total of 1174 wildlife parts belonging to four zoological groups (mammals, reptiles, birds, and mollusks) were encountered. Mammals constituted the majority (495 parts; 42.1%), followed by reptiles (322 parts; 27%), birds (217 parts; 18.5%), and mollusks (140 parts; 11.9%) respectively. Middlemen (21; 67.7%) constituted the largest source through which traders obtained their supplies. Body parts of some animals considered to be of serious conservation concern by (IUCN) were on display in the market. Four species of wildlife widely believed to be host to zoonotic pathogens were found in the market. Majority of respondents (30; 96.8%) were aware of zoonotic disease transmissions. All respondents (31) were aware of wildlife laws protecting the killing, transport, and sale of endangered wildlife species. These results suggest that measures are needed to check the activities of middlemen who import wildlife products from other countries into Ghana. Wildlife laws in Ghana should be revised to make them punitive enough to prevent people from trading in endangered species. Public sensitization programmes are needed to educate traders on the transmission of zoonotic pathogens and the need to conserve endangered species in particular and biodiversity in general in the region.