Today the WACPAW/EonA team visited Pretty Pipers Pig Farm in Barekese, located in Ghana’s Ashanti Region. The farm’s director warmly welcomed us and expressed his gratitude for our visit—particularly for two reasons: learning how to reduce stress in pigs and better treat injured animals.
He shared that animal welfare is a top priority for him and emphasized his commitment to continuous improvement. He was also pleased to see our organization’s role in helping farmers—both in Ghana and abroad—understand the many benefits of adopting higher animal welfare standards.
After an hour-long inspection of the facility, we held a brief meeting with the director and the farm’s manageress, who is also a trained veterinary officer. We shared our observations and offered practical recommendations.
At the time of our visit, the farm housed approximately 1,026 pigs, separated by age, size, and sex. The animals had ample space, there was minimal stress from overcrowding. The pigs were well-fed, had access to clean water, and the health conditions were carefully managed. The farm also had a well-designed ramp for safely loading pigs for transport.
However, we did note some significant welfare concerns. All floors were made out of bare concrete, and many animals had visible abrasions—a clear indication of discomfort. Tail docking was also routinely practiced. We strongly advised against this painful procedure and suggested instead more water nipples and environmental enrichment —such as hanging hanging toys, roughage, earth, twigs etc—to help reduce tail biting naturally by allowing pigs to engage in play and distraction.
Unfortunately, the pigs were also denied opportunities for mud bathing—key natural behaviors for their well-being especially in this heat. Staff do bathe the pigs every two weeks to help them stay cool once in awhile and large fans were installed to reduce heat stress, but we recommended installing water sprinklers and building small pools in the pens for more consistent cooling.
We also encouraged the creation of more comfortable pens for pregnant sows—separate from the main herd—where they can root and build nests during parturition, in line with their natural instincts.
The management team was open, cooperative, and committed to improving conditions. They assured us they would begin implementing our recommendations and requested our help in acquiring a captive bolt stunner for emergency euthanasia—a request we fully support. Like so many places in Ghana, injured animals are often left to suffer or are killed inhumanely on farm (repeated blows to the head with bats or crow bars) because there is no access to captive bolt stunners. We will send them a captive bolt stunner and teach them how to use it as soon as possible.
We’re grateful to the director and his team for their hospitality, transparency, and willingness to make positive changes for their animals.
However, it’s disheartening to see how some Western agricultural institutions and companies are still promoting intensive, factory-style farming methods in African countries—many of which traditionally used free-range outdoor systems. These industrial models, often introduced in the name of “modernization,” bring avoidable suffering to animals and erode long-standing, humane farming practices. It’s time to rethink what progress really looks like.
We look forward to returning soon to continue supporting Pretty Pipers on their journey toward even higher welfare standards.
