The Institute of Community Sustainability (ICS) has launched a campaign to end the consumption of cats and dogs in Ghana, officially declaring that these animals should be recognised as "vital members of our homes" rather than livestock.

In a press release issued today, Monday, 23rd February 2026, the institute called on the government to urgently criminalise the trade to protect both public health and the nation's social fabric.

Led by Executive Director Eric Jerry Aidoo, the ICS argued that the current trend of treating domestic pets as a food source diminishes their value as loyal partners and emotional companions.

The Dual Role: Companions and Protectors

The ICS highlighted that cats and dogs provide essential services that go far beyond their perceived value in the meat trade. According to the institute, these animals serve two primary roles in Ghanaian society:

• Family Companions: Providing critical emotional support and companionship to both the elderly and children.
• Security Guards: Acting as essential protectors and early warning systems for businesses and private residences.

Beyond the ethical debate, the ICS provided a grim warning regarding the "deadly risk" that unregulated slaughter poses to the general public. The institute identified three specific life-threatening diseases that are easily transmitted through the handling and consumption of these meats:

• Rabies: A fatal viral disease frequently spread during the handling of infected canine carcasses.
• Trichinellosis: A dangerous parasitic infection resulting from the consumption of contaminated meat.
• Cholera: Spread through the unsanitary and illegal conditions typical of the animal meat trade.

Mr Aidoo has formally petitioned the Minister of Health to intervene with decisive legislative measures. The ICS is demanding an immediate three-pronged response from the state:

1. A Total Ban: An absolute prohibition on the slaughter of cats and dogs for human consumption.
2. Criminalisation: New legislation to criminalise the transport, sale, and trade of these meats.
3. Public Awareness: A national health campaign to educate the citizenry on the zoonotic risks.

“We cannot sit idly by while public health is put at risk and our loyal companions are mistreated. It is time for Ghana to align with global health standards and ethical practices. Cats and dogs are our family; they deserve protection, not the slaughterhouse,” Mr Aidoo stated.

The ICS has urged the media to amplify this message, positioning the ban as a necessary step toward building a "sustainable, healthy, and compassionate Ghana".