By Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo
The Chief Director of the Upper West Regional Coordinating Council, Pognaa Hajia Fati Koray says the government of Ghana will continue to support policies, programmes and activities that are geared towards the protection of wildlife resources, for the socio-economic development of the country.
Pognaa Fati Koray gave the assurance when she stood in for the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah at the 50th Anniversary of the creation of Gbele Resource Reserve (GRR) and the launch of the 2025 Closed Season at Tumu.
GBC’s Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo in this piece says the event themed, “United Against Wildlife Crime for our Common Future” was a rallying point for all stakeholders to unite and halt illegal practices that harm our wildlife.
Closed Season is a four-month period, which is observed from August 1 to December 1 every year, during which hunting, capturing, and trading of wild animals are prohibited, except for grasscutters with valid licenses. The Closed Season affords wildlife a safe window to breed and raise their young, helping to restore balance to Ghana’s threatened ecosystems.
In Ghana, the Closed Season is provided for under the Wildlife Conservation Regulation of 1971 (L.I. 685). Pognaa Hajia Fati Koray indicated that the Gbele Resource Reserve (GRR) since its establishment in 1975 has chalked up a number of successes over the years, including “the historic resettlement of the Gbele community within the Sissala West District outside the Reserve with the provision of 120 households and other social amenities to save and keep the integrity of the Reserve”.
She equally touched on the construction of two modern range camps at Wahabu and Gbele entry points of the Reserve, they “have boosted the morale of the rangers who make a lot of sacrifices to conserve our biodiversity”.
Pognaa Fati Koray stated that GRR has great ecotourism potentials for the Upper West Region, and government is ready to support prospective investors for the Park’s development. “Additionally, we would support organisations that will like to facilitate Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAS) and livelihood projects as well as Community projects”, she observed.
Pognaa Fati Koray reiterated that the Closed Season serves as one of the regulatory measures in place to protect critical wildlife species, and called on all interested parties, particularly the hunters and traders to respect and comply fully with the four months ban, and also get licences to back their trade during the Open Season.
The Director of Operations – Protected Areas, Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Farouk Umar Dubiure who delivered a speech on behalf of the Executive Director also drummed home the significance of the Closed Season, saying, “it is one of the strategies and instruments employed by the Wildlife Division to regulate and sustainably manage the wildlife resources in the country”.
Commenting on the 50th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Gbele Resource Reserve, the Director of Operations expressed appreciation to the chiefs and people of the various traditional areas who graciously gave out portions of their lands for the establishment of the only Wildlife Protected Area in the Upper West Region of Ghana.
He was also grateful to the people for the continuous support for the development and management of the Reserve over the last 50 years.
Mr Dubiure equally doffed his hat for past and present staff and management of the Reserve for their committed and dedicated service and sacrifice that has sustained the only protected area, serving as an important national heritage, providing essential ecosystem services and other socio-cultural and economic benefits for the fringe communities of the Reserve and the country as a whole.
The Park Manager of GRR, Dr Polycarp Wuldefaar Maabier paid tribute to the founding members of the Gbele Resource Reserve who in his words, “saw the vision and direction of establishing the Reserve in 1975 per the L.I. 1022- [WILDLIFE RESERVES (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, 1975] alongside the Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kalakpa Resource Reserve. He told the gathering that Gbele Resource Reserve is the first Park to mark its Golden Jubilee, adding that it is appropriate and befitting to honour those who played key roles in the 50 years’ journey of the Reserve.
Dr Maabier praised Naa Ahmed Yahaya Nuhu for leaving the comfort of Accra where he had his family to Tumu to take up the mantle as the first Park Manager. The current Park Manager was thankful to all his predecessors for doing a yeoman’s job by charting the course for him to follow as the 6th person in the saddle. Dr Maabier was excited about the unwavering support from all partners, especially, the traditional and political authorities towards the protection of the 340,000 hectares of landscape to maintain biodiversity.
The Director, Health, Safety & Environment at Bui Power Authority (BPA), Chrisentus B. Kuunifaa who deputised for the CEO of BPA, Ing. Kow Eduakwa Sam observed that in Ghana, our protected areas covered approximately 13,000 square kilometers which significantly support our commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action).
Mr Kuunifaa underscored the importance of protected areas, noting that, “beyond the climate benefits, these areas safeguard the watersheds of key rivers, such as the Kulpawn River, which feeds into the White Volta, and the Black Volta, which flows through the Bui National Park and contributes to the Bui Reservoir, vital to sustaining the 404 MW Bui Generating Station, ensuring consistent water flow for hydropower generation and supporting national energy security”.
He continued that the protection of the ecosystems in question is therefore not only an environmental priority, but equally a critical economic and energy imperative.
Dwelling on the promotion of tourism and socio-economic development, Mr Kuunifaa said, “our national parks are magnets for eco-tourism,” adding that in 2024 alone, Kakum National Park received 183,757 visitors, with Bunso Arboretum hosting 155,149 guests. The Kumasi Zoo on its part, had 133,954 people visiting the facility, affirming the sector’s contribution to socio-economic development.
In terms of cultural heritage and identity, Mr Kuunifaa averred that protected areas are not just sanctuaries for flora and fauna, but they are living custodians of our cultural identity.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Sissala East, Bening Adamu Yakubu stated that GRR is one of the largest lesser-known game reserves in Ghana and “a home to many wildlife animals, birds and ecosystems”, but added that, it faces so many challenges that threaten its conservation efforts.
He identified some of the challenges as poaching of wild animals, unauthorized logging activities and local farmers encroaching on the Reserve.
The MCE emphasized community engagement and sensitization to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility towards the protection of flora and fauna of the protected area. Mr Yakubu gave an assurance that the Sissala East Municipal Assembly will continue to collaborate effectively with the Forestry Commission and other District Assemblies in the catchment area of the Reserve to protect it.
The District Chief Executive for Sissala West, Abudu Fuseini Gbene said development should not come at the expense of the environment. “Conservation is development, and true progress lies in a balanced relationship between people and nature,” he stated. The DCE called for a united front in order to help secure a sustainable future for all, through responsible environmental stewardship.
A number of awards were presented to some people for their sterling contributions to the Gbele Resource Reserve for long service ranging from 22 to 36 years, including service as Park Managers. Among the award recipients, was the foundation Park Manager of GRR, Naa Ahmed Yahaya Nuhu of blessed memory.
The wife of the Late Naa Nuhu, Madam Vivian Nuhu who is also a retired staff of the Wildlife Division received the posthumous award on behalf of her husband.
The Public Relations Unit of the Wildlife Division mounted an exhibition as part of the event. The event was chaired by the Chief of Ping, Kuoro Humphrey Tordia.
