The Namibian Experience: Would Ghanaians Eat An Elephant Or Zebra, In The Event Of A Drought?

"The Namibian government plans to shoot down 723 wild animals, including 83 elephants, and distribute the meat to people struggling to feed themselves since Southern Africa has been struggling with food shortages due to severe drought," the Reuters news agency said this week. This is a disturbing and concerning alert for Ghana and other African countries, to start putting environmental safety measures in place to stop any hunger threats and avert human disasters.

Africa is the world's warmest continent, encompassing a variety of temperature zones such as the tropics, deserts, and savanna, therefore, climate changes, affect African countries frequently to experience drought. Other phenomena can show up as a protracted absence of rain, failed crops, food shortages, severe inflation, pervasive corruption, wars, and ethnic conflicts. According to the United Nations, a potentially fatal drought is expected to affect more than 45% of Africa.

Climatic conditions have led to historical human disasters in Africa. However, man-made factors, such as wars, and ethnic conflicts between rebels and political rivals, have contributed to the worst drought in decades. According to the United Nations, Namibia had to use up 84% of its food supplies last month, and considering the losses in public health, agriculture, and water resources, nearly half of the population is predicted to experience severe food insecurity in the upcoming months.

Even though Ghana hasn’t been hit by drought, if care is not taken, the nation may face the threat of hunger, which will result in famine because the failed fight against illegal mining has affected agricultural production, including the cocoa industries, leading to high inflation accompanied by exorbitant prices of food. According to the Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, drought has directly impacted around 435,872 farmers, who are expected to be farming 871,745 hectares.

The Minister of Agriculture attributes the low yield of groundnut, soybean, sorghum, millet, yam, maize, and rice to the drought; nonetheless, however, the lack of funding farmers, and the failed fight against illegal mining and corruption, have all attributed to low production of food in Ghana. Last month, the Dutch ambassador to Ghana, Jeroen Verheul, showed concern by stating that “farmers might make a good life from farming provided they received the necessary encouragement and assistance."

The Namibian Ministry of Environment claims that if the government fails to take action, tensions between people and wildlife will only worsen. “When the quantity of animals outweighs the amount of grazing ground and water resources available, culling will occur in parks and public locations.” The administration has agreed to kill 723 wild animals and give the meat to the residents who were most impacted. The affected animals are hippos, buffalos, impalas, blue wildebeest, zebras, eland, and elephants.

For decades, Namibia has drawn thousands of tourists due to its exceptional natural phenomena, breathtaking landscapes, and abundant wildlife. However, it is crucial to understand how a drought can bring about substantial changes that could worsen poverty, hunger, and instability, ultimately leading to people eating elephants to survive.

Every nation has its special food or delicacy, but I doubt if Ghanaians will be ready to consume zebra and elephant flesh. We can enjoy our own food and meat, by putting in an endless fight against illegal mining and land degradation to increase agricultural productivity.