VEGAN EDUCATION IN
GHANA
BY GLORIA EWOENAM
MY vegan journey began in November 2021, where I participated in a forum with the theme ‘The food we eat and its effect on the environment’. That was my first time hearing the word ‘vegan’. I’d heard of ‘vegetarian’ but never ‘vegan’.
I am passionate about herbal remedies in relation to my health so when I got the message that our way of eating (non-vegan eating) is a major cause of global warming, I was a little perplexed. I had always thought fossil fuels were rather the major cause. There, my curiosity and desire to know more about this group of people (vegans) began. Fortunately for me, I had a friend who I met from a beach clean-up who is vegan. In fact, I disturbed him with most of my questions. He told me about how sentient non-humans are. And truthfully, that was my first time hearing the word ‘sentient’ too. Then, memories of my childhood dawned on me. Growing up in Anfoega (Volta Region), my mother used to rear goats, and I was 68
FORÇA VEGAN
given one of the females as a gift. She became my friend and I always wanted her around me, even though my mom was always complaining that I limit contact with her because I may attract certain diseases from her. One afternoon when I got back from JHS (high school), mom broke the news to me that my friend had died and I cried. Mom dug a hole and we buried her. Whenever a female goat gives birth, my mom will specially prepare soup for her, saying that she needs it. Yet, anytime the male goat grows, it will be used for pepper soup. Little did my mom and I know the connection we have with the goats. So connecting my past with the new information of veganism, I gave up meat. But
at that point I did not connect with the vegan philosophy, so I was still taking in fish and products from non-humans. Then on Monday 3rd of January 2022, I decided to go vegan after coming across a beautiful young soul (Genesis Butler) fighting for animal rights. To be frank, I was inspired by her selfless dedication towards saving non-humans. And I have been vegan ever since. I am a vegan. It has been easy with me because I have really connected with my past and one of the things I cannot stand is torture. And one of my beliefs is that, when it is of great importance, we will always find a way. My sister was always questioning me anytime I was eating. she would ask “so
