Project Title: Bushmeat Hunting and Trade Dynamics in northern Ghana  

Research overview: 

The trade in wildlife products like bushmeat involves a major economic activity for the people involved in the commerce. However, the current scale of bushmeat harvesting and trade is perceived as a significant driver in the decline of many wild animal populations in tropical forests especially in West and Central Africa. Overexploitation also poses serious threat to the food and livelihood security of the many people who depend on it. Varying factors such as livelihood issues, prices and hunting behaviour of individuals are known to affect the intensity and levels at which bushmeat is exploited. Then again some of these drivers may differ depending on habitat conditions, market access, availability of alternatives and effectiveness of legislation. Knowledge and understanding of factors driving the system can be useful in assessing exploitation levels and identification of areas of greatest impact to inform management options. I am using a range of methods in this research. Using a supply chain analysis this research explores bushmeat supply chains and markets in northern Ghana where the trade is largely unexplored. This will be informative for identification of points along trade routes where management intervention could be most effective. Interview surveys are being used to obtain informed idea about factors influencing volume of trade and individuals’ hunting and trading behaviour to inform management decisions and facilitate monitoring of the trade.

 

Objectives:

This research is aimed at increasing knowledge of hunting and exploring the level and extent of trade in bushmeat in northern Ghana. The outcome of this research will provide basis for recommendations on how to best manage the threat of bushmeat hunting and trade to the long term conservation of wildlife resources.

Specifically, this research seeks to:

  • Characterize bushmeat supply chains and markets in northern Ghana,
  • Investigate the extent of long-distance trade to other regions in Ghana and potential cross-border trade with neighboring West African countries,
  • Explore the landscape-level determinants of hunting pressure, and
  • Explore the socio-economic factors that affect hunting behaviour.

 

Research outputs:

  • Thesis leading to the award of a PhD degree in Biodiversity and Conservation Science.
  • Publications in leading scientific journals on the findings of my research objectives.
  • Based on the findings from this research policy recommendations will be provided to guide future conservation planning initiatives, aimed at regulating bushmeat exploitation and trade to benefit people and wildlife.