Closed hunting season takes effect from August 1 – December1

 This year’s closed season of hunt­ing was launched last Thursday at Mankessim in the Central Region with a caution to hunters to allow wildlife species in the country’s forests to breed.

The four-month annual restriction under the Forestry Commission’s Closed Season seeks to “protect and conserve” animal species and populations, enhance biodiversity, and help mitigate climate change chal­lenges.

During this period, it is illegal for anyone to hunt, capture, or destroy any wild animal except the grasscutter (Akrantie), which can be hunted only with a li­cense from the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission (FC).

The close season which was launched on here with the theme ‘Wildlife: A Heritage We Must Conserve,’ will remain in place from August 1, until December 1, this year.

The Deputy Minister of Land and Natural Resources, Mr Akwasi Konadu, addressing stakeholders said hunters should obtain valid licenses for hunting grasscutters; otherwise they would be sanctioned.

He noted thatthe Wildlife Resource Management Act 2023 (Act 1115) had been assented to by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to regulate the wild­life sector and enhance socio-eco­nomic development.

The Chief Executive of the FC, Mr John Allotey, stated that poaching activities in the nation’s national parks and resource reserves were becoming a threat to the effective management of these facilities.

He said frontline staff had been trained to address this chal­lenge.

Mr Allotey further noted that wildlife plays a crucial role in the country’s development and is also a source of herbs and medicine.

He explained that to utilise resources in Ghana, a license and permit are required for activities such as hunting and trading in wildlife resources and products.

Mr Allotey added that anyone who contravenes any provi­sion of the regulation on the closed season shall be guilty of an offense liable, on summary conviction, to a fine.

The Executive Director of the Wildlife Division of the FC, Dr Joseph Boakye, stressed the need to protect wildlife species for reproduction and future generations.

He urged all stakeholders to collaborate with the Wildlife Division in order to ensure compliance with the closed season period.

The Omanhene of Mankes­sim Traditional Area, Osagyefo Amanfo Edu VI, emphasised the importance of protecting wildlife for sustainability and called on the government to address illegal activities in the forest to safeguard the reserves.

In attendance were tradition­al rulers, chop bar operators, hunters, bush meat traders, and students.

FROM ANITA NYARKOYIRENKYI, MANKESSIM