The 2022 Close Season for wildlife has been launched at the Accra Zoological Gardens, Achimota Forest by the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Benito Owusu Bio, MP, who called on all to respect the directives of the Close Season and adhere to the rules to protect wildlife species.
He noted that the Ministry was committed to ensuring the sustainable management of wildlife resources in the country through the passage of the Wildlife Bill which is currently before Parliament and also called for the intensification of awareness creation and capacity building in CREMA communities to promote collaborative resources management as best practices for forest governance.
The launch under the theme “Wildlife is critical to our Welfare: Protect Wildlife, Protect Nature, Save lives” had the Acting Board Chairman of Forestry Commission (FC) and Omanhene of Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, Katakyie Kwesi Bumagama II; who was also Chairman for the occasion.
The Executive Director of the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Mr. Bernard Asamoah-Boateng, said that due to the present rate of exploitation of wildlife species which poses serious threats to biological diversity and ecological processes, the Wildlife Division would like to encourage breeding, rearing and ranching of permitted wild animals domestically for consumption, export and other wildlife enterprises to avoid unsustainable exploitation of these wild resources.
In attendance were the Chief Executive of FC, Mr John Allotey, Board Members, Executive Management Team and staff of FC. Representatives of the Ghana Police Service, Ghana National Fire Service, GES, WAPCA, and pupils of the Achimota Basic 1 and 2 Schools, and Anunmele Cluster of Schools also participated in the event.
