The Institute of Community Sustainability (ICS) has launched a public campaign urging the Government of Ghana to ban the slaughter and consumption of cats and dogs, describing the practice as a threat to public health and a violation of social and ethical norms.
In a press release issued on Monday, ICS said cats and dogs should be recognised as family companions rather than sources of meat, noting their long-standing roles as household protectors, companions to children and the elderly, and contributors to community safety.
“By treating these animals as meat, we diminish their value as loyal partners in our daily lives and undermine the social fabric of our communities,” the organisation stated.
Public Health Concerns Raised
Beyond ethical considerations, ICS warned that the unregulated trade and consumption of cat and dog meat pose serious public health risks. The organisation cited the potential transmission of zoonotic diseases such as rabies, trichinellosis, and cholera, particularly through unsanitary slaughtering and handling practices.
According to ICS, these risks place both consumers and the wider public in danger and highlight gaps in enforcement and public awareness around animal health and food safety.
Call for Government Action
The organisation is calling on the Ministry of Health to take immediate steps to address the issue. Its demands include a total ban on the slaughter of cats and dogs for human consumption, legislation to criminalise the trade, transport, and sale of such meat, and a nationwide public education campaign on the associated health risks.
“We cannot sit idly by while public health is put at risk and our loyal companions are mistreated,” said Eric Jerry Aidoo, Executive Director of ICS. “It is time for Ghana to align with global health standards and ethical practices. Cats and dogs are our family—they deserve protection, not the slaughterhouse.”
Appeal to Media and the Public
ICS urged media organisations to amplify the campaign and called on the public to support efforts aimed at protecting companion animals and promoting safer, more compassionate community practices.
The Institute reaffirmed its commitment to building what it described as a sustainable, healthy, and compassionate Ghana, stressing that animal welfare and public health are closely linked.
The statement was signed by Eric Jerry Aidoo on behalf of the Institute of Community Sustainability.
