Regional Dynamics of Zoonotic Risk Perception and Wildlife Use in Ghana

Abstract Background: Public health concerns in the procurement and consumption of bushmeat have largely been subdued by the socio-economic importance of the commodity. However, recent pandemics such as COVID-19 and the Ebola virus have put a spotlight on the need to avert health risks associated with the bushmeat industry in West Africa. This study used a mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) approach to investigate hunting and bushmeat patronage and zoonotic diseases concern in Ghana. A total of 335 respondents were contacted in a household survey, and 53 hunters were interviewed as key informants. Results: The results indicate that the outbreak of COVID-19 may have affected bushmeat consumption as more respondents consumed bushmeat before COVID-19 than after COVID-19 with a significant difference between consumers in northern Ghana and those in southern Ghana [ X 2 (1, N = 335) = 16.224, p = .003]. However, the popular perception was that human-to-human contact remains the major route of viral disease transmission and not from wild animals to humans. Hunting activities were drastically reduced during COVID-19 but surprisingly the hunters attributed the decline to diminishing game numbers in their hunting grounds instead of COVID-19. Conclusion: The results show that bushmeat hunting and consumption are not considered as effective routes of transferring zoonotic pathogens to humans. There is therefore a need for repackaging public education messages to reiterate the fact that zoonotic diseases can start at any place once there is an effective interaction between animals and humans. Consequently, conservation goals may be achieved if anti-poaching campaigns are designed to centre on public health benefits that can be injured by avoiding hunting and bushmeat consumption.