Retailers and consumers in the Bolgatanga Municipality and Bolgatanga East District of the Upper East Region have found themselves grappling with a sudden scarcity and spike in prices of donkey meat, a staple in the local cuisine.
What was once a common commodity, used to prepare light soups and other delicacies, has now become a luxury as prices skyrocket and availability dwindles.
They indicated that previously they could purchase a donkey head for GH¢90.00, but now prices have surged to GH¢200.00, with fluctuations depending on the size of the donkey.
This drastic increase has left them in a tough spot, as they struggle to afford the meat themselves while attempting to maintain profitability by doubling prices for customers.
Speaking to some retailers in Zuarungu, Bolgatanga East District, the situation appears dire.
Atiamah, a distressed retailer, expressed the hardship she faces, unable to procure donkey meat for two consecutive days.
This scarcity, she said, not only affects her business but also jeopardizes her ability to provide for her family.
“I came here around 5 am, hoping that I would get the head and some intestines to buy. But they are telling me that others have already requested them. For two days now, I haven’t gotten any to sell. Meanwhile, that is where I used to feed my children of five.”
“If you look at it, the donkeys are no longer available, and where they (slaughterers) usually go to buy them, they said the authorities there have put a ban on the sales of donkeys. I think that is also causing this high in prices,” said Abena, another retailer.
Robert, a trader and slaughterer in Zuarungu, also attributed the surge in prices to a decline in the availability of donkeys.
He explained that traditional sourcing regions like Burkina Faso and Tongo are experiencing shortages, leading to higher acquisition costs, now ranging from GH¢1,500.00 to GH¢1,800.00 per donkey.
“Imagine, you buy three or four donkeys, each GH¢1,500.00 in Burkina Faso or Tongo, plus the transportation and other expenses. I don’t think it will be fair to sell it at the same price. So, yes, this is causing the donkey meat to be expensive nowadays.”
Meanwhile, the calls to end the slaughtering of donkeys by individuals and NGOs continue.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Moses Apiah|Ghana
