The Donkey population in rural communities in Northern Ghana is decreasing as a result of illegal trade in donkey skin.
Reports from rural communities in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions also indicate the stealing and killing of the animals.
UK based animal rights group, Donkey Sanctuary reports that, more than fifty four thousand donkeys are slaughtered in Ghana annually.
The group says the local economy may be losing as much as $120m (one hundred and twenty million dollars) as a result of the killing of donkeys.
The Programmes Manager for Donkey Sanctuary, Alex Mayers, told journalists in Tamale that an increase in demand for a product known as ‘ejiao’ in China is fuelling the demand for donkey skin which is used in the manufacture of the product.
Ejiao is a medicinal product in China believed to energize humans.
Donkey Sanctuary is partnering a local organisation, Development and Environmental Protection Organization DONYAEPA to end the killing of donkeys in Northern Ghana.
Executive Director of DONYAEPA, Amadu Hudu, said killing of donkeys pose a direct threat to the livelihoods of thousands of rural dwellers in Northern Ghana.
He said donkeys are used to transport foodstuff and people to market centers and in some instances, transport sick persons to health facilities.
Ghana banned the export of donkey skin several years ago, but the trade continues illegally.
Stakeholders are appealing to government to enforce the ban to save donkeys and protect the livelihood of rural dwellers.
