The WACPAW/EonA team visited Tamale livestock market in northern Ghana to see how the animals are faring in this time of excruciating drought and heat within the region. At this time of the year, temperatures within the northern part can rise up 45 degrees and most dams are drying up. The market was almost empty because most animals now are too weak and sick because of the lack of food and water. Animals that were brought from far distances could barely stand because of severe dehydration. One cow could barely move when she was being loaded. We showed up with containers of water in our truck which we immediately brought out to give her and also sprinkled some on her to cool her down and regain some energy.
We had to help in the loading process by helping to lift the animals up into the vehicle. They all had to lie down in the vehicle for the almost 20 hrs journey to remain alive. The lack of water and food, and the horribly long journeys, is a serious challenge for the animals. We are hoping to meet the management of the market this week to see how animal welfare can be improved, as currently it is very poor and the market has no proper facilities to care for them adequately.
