Report by Nana POKU
The Government has placed a ban on hunting in the forest reserves and other restricted areas in the country starting from August 1st to December 2022.
Announcing the ban at the Achimota Zoo, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Benito Owusu Bio asked game poachers to obey the directives to enable the animals have some respite and time to multiply and grow in the interest of themselves and the country.
He bemoaned the habit of irresponsible gaming that has seen the extinction of many animals from our ecosystem. He quoted the legislation that empowers the Government to institute the ban for a good course. He warned that all animals are not allowed to be poached apart from the grass cutter and even they can only be poached with an express permission from the Wild Life Division of the Forestry Commission upon the acquisition of license.
The Deputy Minister indicated that during this period, the animals mate and get pregnant to give birth to young ones which must be protected. It is therefore appropriate to give them time to grow and multiply to ensure sustainability. He also announced the intention of Government to establish four new zoos in Takoradi, Kumasi, Tamale and Accra to augment the existing ones.
This according to him may boost domestic and foreign tourism. He also announced the intention of Government to buy more animal species to fill up the zoos to make them more attractive.
He cautioned Ghanaians to desist from animal cruelty by killing and maltreating them.
The Wild Life Division took Newsmen to tour the Accra zoo that was almost depleted the animal species. The reason being that most of the animals have been moved to Kumasi zoo to revamp it.
The Director of the Wild Life Division of the Forestry Commission assured the minister and Ghanaians on their resolve to implement the tenets of the ban to allow a breeding space for the animals. He spelt out the penalties for flouting of the directives. He told journalists that this is not the first time this has been done but it’s an annual ritual all in the interest of the country.
