By Akosua Frema Frempong, Kumasi, Ashanti Region.
A sensitisation session on the closed hunting season and capturing of wild animals set from August 1, to December 1, 2021, has been organised for stakeholders in Kumasi.
Chief Manager of the Kumasi Zoological Gardens, Dr. Meyir Yiryele Ziekah explained that during the period, it is illegal for anyone to go hunting, capture, or destroy any wild animal except grasscutters.
He said grasscutters can be captured, only after securing a license issued by the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission.
Akosua Frema Frempong reports that the Forestry Commission in July 2021, announced a ban on hunting or capturing of wild animals effective Sunday, August 1, 2021. The ban is to be in force until Wednesday, 1st December, 2021. The ban, which is declared annually and known as the ‘Closed Season’, is in accordance with the Wildlife Conservation Regulation 197, LI 685.
The Forestry Commission in a statement said persons found to have defied the ban will be held liable for the offence. While it will be illegal throughout the period to hunt, capture or destroy any animal, a special licence can be secured by people who want to hunt grass-cutters, also known in the Akan language as ‘Akrantie’.
The Forestry Commission has been of the view that the wealth of Ghana’s biodiversity is being lost due to encroachment, illegal mining, forest degradation, unbridled hunting among other vices. It has been observed that the decline of wildlife therefore must be critically analysed and worked on, to sustain human livelihood and Ghana’s heritage.
Spokesperson for the Bush Meat Sellers in Kumasi, Madam Comfort Badu explained to GBC’s Garden City Radio compliance steps being adopted by the Sellers.
“Since we became aware of the closed season, we stock our deep freezers with Bush meat, till the closed season ends, and periodically, Officials from the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission come by for inspection’’ according to Madam Comfort Badu.
The Chief Manager of the Kumasi Zoological Gardens, Dr. Meyir Yiryele Ziekah, warned against the hunting, capture, or destruction of any animal from now till 1st December 2021 with the exception of the grass cutters under a special license.
