Written By : Moses Geply
Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County – Over the years, hunting and farming have been major sources of livelihood for people in Grand Gedeh County mainly the indigenous communities. There are enormous economic benefits even in contemporary times. But the ban on the sale of bush meat is posing problem for hunters.
Eric Todey, age 49, a hunter at the Tchien Menyeah Clan, said they have been facing several challenges and difficulties in meeting their responsibilities since the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease in Liberia when the government placed a ban on the sale of bush meat.
Speaking to Local voices Liberia on October 19, 2015 in Zwedru, he said most hunters are now unable to send their children to school due to lack of financial support. Liberia was declared Ebola free in September for the second time this year but several precautionary measures still remain in place.
Many bush meat hunters say their business is struggling and stressed that citizens are still having the believe that the Ebola Virus still exist, thereby making the sale of bush meat difficult.
Hunter Eric maintained that education is the key to success; adding that if his children and the children of other hunters are not educated they too will be illiterate and end up as hunters in the future.
He then used the medium to call on the national government to lift the ban, because whenever they come from hunting state securities intercept and arrest the meat leaving them with nothing.
Marketers Share the Burn
Meanwhile marketers involved in the sale of bush meat at the Zwedru Central market said the Ebola outbreak also brought setback to their businesses. They disclosed that meat buyers “refer to as customers” are all scarce; something they said is causing domestic economic constraints for families.
The Marketers are also calling on the central Government to allow the hurters return to pre Ebola hunting activities. They argued that hunting is an essential means of sourcing findings for several families in the county.
