Dog and cat meat consumers and traders in the Bolgatanga municipality of the Upper East Region have threatened to sue the government if the consumption of their delicacies is banned.
The threat is in reaction to a lawsuit by the Institute of Community Sustainability (ICS) at the Supreme Court of Ghana on July 28, 2026.
The ICS wants the apex court to force state authorities to strictly enforce laws against the slaughter and consumption of dogs and cats.
The ICS cites Section 303 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), as amended by the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act, 1998 (Act 554), arguing it outlaws the practice.
The legal action aims to clarify whether current laws already implicitly ban the trade or if Parliament must enact explicit new legislation.
Speaking in an interview with some of the dog meat consumers in Bolgatanga, they said the consumption of the flesh of the two animals provides critical nutrients, hence should not be banned.
With one of the largest dog and cat markets in Africa, the Bolgatanga dog market is always busy with traders and buyers who travel from far and near to sell and buy dogs and cat for different purposes.
Traditionally, the Frafra people use dogs and cat for the performance of traditional rites like marriages, funerals and pouring of libations.
The consumption of dog and cat is common in the area and other parts of the Upper East Region like Kassena Nankana municipality.
Economically, the dog and cat business is booming as the youth and women engage in sale of live animals as well as roasted meat.
By Tanko Mohammed Rabiu
