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West Africa Center for the Protection of Animal Welfare is an animal welfare charity which focuses on the humane treatment of animals in their lives.

West Africa Center for the Protection of Animal Welfare (WACPAW) is an animal welfare organization focused on the welfare of animals regarding the processes of treatment during transportation,at the markets, slaughtering and healthcare. Our objective is to seek compassionate treatment of animals with a dedication to reducing animal suffering caused by people. WACPAW focuses on the treatment the an

imal receives before, during and after transportation as well as during the slaughter of the animal. Our cause is founded in the fact that slaughter houses for instance violate animal welfare standards. Issues such as whether slaughter houses slaughter pregnant animals, transporting pregnant cows under dehumanizing conditions or beats them in the process of transportation. WACPAW works to minimize the impacs of all human actions detrimental to endangered species, including the destruction of natural forests containing ancient trees, and pollution of the oceans destroying every kind of marine life.

08/05/2026

Today is . Donkeys are essential partners in West Africa’s development, and their health is intrinsically linked to the health of our communities. WACPAW is committed to ensuring every donkey receives professional care and humane treatment. Join us in honoring their contribution and supporting our mission for better animal welfare across the region. WorldDonkeyDay

01/05/2026

Happy Workers’ Day to all animal welfare workers! 🐾💚
Your compassion, long hours, and tireless advocacy give a voice to the voiceless. From rescues at dawn to shelter cleanups and late-night emergencies, your work makes this world kinder. Today we celebrate YOU. Thank you for protecting those who can’t thank you themselves.

22/04/2026

This World Earth Day, WACPAW reminds us: caring for animals is caring for the planet.

Protect the Earth. Protect its animals.

03/04/2026

As we reflect on the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ, a message of love, mercy, and renewal is at the heart of this season.

Let this Easter be a reminder to extend that compassion beyond ourselves by showing kindness and care to all living beings, including animals.

Together, we can honor the true spirit of Easter through empathy, humane actions, and respect for life.

21/03/2026

❤️💫

08/03/2026

On this International Women’s Day, WACPAW celebrates the incredible women who play vital role in advancing animal welfare. Their dedication, compassion, and commitment continue to strengthen our work and inspire positive change in the way animals are treated in our communities.

Today, we honor their contributions and celebrate women everywhere who are working tirelessly to build a more compassionate and humane world. 💜 🐾

06/03/2026

On this Ghana Independence Day, we celebrate the freedom and resilience of our nation and renew our commitment to compassion for all living beings. As animal welfare advocates, we believe a truly progressive Ghana is one that treats its animals with care, dignity, and respect. Together, let us build a nation where development goes hand in hand with humane treatment of animals. 🇬🇭🐄🐐

21/02/2026

WACPAW, in partnership with EonA, continued its stakeholder engagement and capacity building activities last week in two communities in the Kumbungu District and one community in the Savelugu District.

The outreach targeted livestock farmers, poultry farmers, traders, tricycle riders involved in animal transport, and other community members whose activities directly or indirectly affect animal welfare and food safety.

The training sessions focused on practical and achievable improvements in animal care and management. Key areas covered included humane handling of animals, animal health management, disease prevention and control, proper nutrition, and the importance of farm biosecurity. Participants were also trained on stress free loading and unloading techniques to reduce injuries and suffering during transport.

Special attention was given to humane slaughter practices, particularly the use of captive bolt stunners to render animals unconscious before slaughter. The team also introduced behavioural change approaches aimed at strengthening positive relationships between humans and animals within the production chain.

Engagement throughout the sessions was active, and participants expressed appreciation for the knowledge gained. Many acknowledged the link between improved animal welfare, safer meat production, and better income opportunities.

The outreach activities were carried out in collaboration with and Volunteers serving in the beneficiary communities. They played a key role in mobilizing participants and coordinating community engagement.

Through these continued community-based interventions, WACPAW and its partners remain committed to promoting best animal welfare practices, strengthening safe food systems, and supporting sustainable livelihoods in northern Ghana.

15/01/2026

On December 26th, our WACPAW team, together with Eyes on Animals, inspected slaughter conditions at a pig farm in Dodowa named where about 60 pigs are slaughtered each week. What we witnessed was difficult, but it reflects the reality many animals still face.

Until our visit, pigs here were killed by repeated blows to the head with heavy metal rods, a method that causes severe fear and prolonged suffering. This is not unique to this farm or to Ghana. In many parts of the world, pigs are still slaughtered while fully conscious, without effective stunning or protection from pain.

During the visit, we trained workers in calmer pre-slaughter handling and in the correct use of captive-bolt stunning, allowing pigs to be rendered unconscious immediately before bleeding. We provided the facility with its own captive bolt stunner and thousands of cartridges and will return for follow-up checks to ensure proper use continues.

The response from the workers was sincere. The relief we saw, and their willingness to change, was genuine.

This is what animal welfare work on the ground looks like. It is difficult, confronting, and essential. Real change only happens when we face these conditions directly and commit to practical solutions that reduce suffering.

We extend our deep gratitude to the team members who continued this work through the Christmas period, bringing mercy to pigs who urgently need it.

12/01/2026

Early December , with our new stunners and cartridges finally in hand, WACPAW, together with Eyes on Animals, moved straight into the field.
Our first humane stunning training took place at Geomatela pig farm in Somanya in Ghana’s Eastern Region, where about 100 pigs are slaughtered each week. Before our visit, pigs were killed using repeated blows to the head with a wooden club. This method is still common, not because of cruelty, but because humane stunning equipment is simply not available locally. The suffering it causes, however, is severe and undeniable.
We also observed high stress during unloading, weighing, and handling, made worse by the lack of proper restraint. When we introduced the captive bolt stunner, the change was immediate. For the first time, pigs were rendered unconscious instantly before bleeding. Staff and even clients present were visibly relieved to see animals spared the fear and pain caused by the club.
The response from the workers was encouraging. They fully supported the training, committed to using the stunner for every slaughter, and urged us to extend this work to other facilities. They recognised the suffering we highlighted and showed a genuine willingness to do better.
This training showed, very clearly, how quickly animal suffering can be reduced when people are given the right knowledge and the right tools. It also reinforces how urgent this work is in countries where humane slaughter equipment remains out of reach.

09/01/2026

After years of effort, the captive bolt stunners we have been working toward finally arrived safely in Ghana in December. Since 2018, WACPAW has partnered with Eyes on Animals to reduce suffering in slaughterhouses by promoting better handling, upright restraint, and humane stunning. Alongside training, we also focus on something just as critical: access to the right equipment. Without it, even willing abattoirs cannot do better.
Many facilities are not halal yet still do not stun animals, not out of refusal, but because humane tools and training have simply not been available. When new import restrictions came into force in 2022, this work became even harder. Through persistent engagement with the Ghanaian authorities, WACPAW was able to navigate the process, and today we received a shipment of 10 new captive bolt stunners and thousands of cartridges from Eyes on Animals.
Our team will immediately visit the abattoirs we have been supporting to replace older equipment and ensure these tools are properly used. We cannot stop slaughter, but we can reduce fear, pain, and suffering. These stunners make a real, measurable difference.
This is why work on the ground matters. This is how mercy becomes action.

Address

GU-63 Gurugu . Jisonayili Road. Tamale. Ghana
Ghana

Telephone

+233200656940

Website

http://www.wacpaw.org/

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