The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission (FC) has held a durbar and organized a quiz competition among four second cycle schools as part of activities to celebrate the 2025 World Wildlife Day (WWD). These events took place at Sekyere Kumawu in the Ashanti Region.
World Wildlife Day is celebrated on 3rd March every year, with a focus of raising awareness about the world’s fauna and flora species in an effort to conserve them. For 2025, the global celebration was on the theme; Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet, which was to explore ways to find innovative financial solutions in wildlife conservation as well as raise the interest of private sector stakeholders to invest.
The Chairman for the durbar, Nana Ntiamoah Katako, Abeasehene, who stood in for Barima Sarfo Tweneboah Kodua, Paramount Chief, Kumawu Traditional Area, in his opening and closing remarks, said that the WWD 2025 theme was timely because it encourages stakeholders to look for funds from other channels to find adequate financial resources for the conservation of wildlife and other natural resources.
He suggested some avenues through which funding could be secured for conservation as the Debt-for-Nature-Swaps or using our National Parks and Reserves for carbon trading.
Mr Francis Amoah from the Office of the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council, in reading the speech of the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Dr Frank Amoakohene, pointed out that by protecting wildlife, we are not only safeguarding the environment but also investing in the future of our economy, as wildlife holds significant economic value. “Ecotourism, driven by our wildlife, has the potential to create jobs, generate revenue, and enhance the living standards of our communities, he added.
He then highlighted ways to contribute to wildlife conservation, which are, “educating ourselves and our communities about the importance of wildlife conservation; local communities engaging in conservation efforts through volunteering for clean-up campaigns, participating in wildlife monitoring, or supporting local conservation organizations; and promoting sustainable agricultural and fishing practices that do not harm our wildlife”.
The Director of Plantations of the Forest Services Division, Mrs Valerie Fumey-Nassah, delivering a speech on behalf of the Acting Chief Executive of FC, Dr Hugh Brown, said developing the ecotourism potentials of the Protected Areas is an important strategy the Forestry Commission is currently pursuing, to generate funds for its conservation mandate.
“Currently, there are ecotourism projects across some Protected Areas to boost finance/revenues for conservation. There is an ongoing Eco-Resort project at the Mole National Park, a Bird Watching Tower constructed at the Kakum National Park as well as the ongoing construction of the longest Canopy Walkway in the country (530 meters), some accommodation and washroom facilities at the Shai Hills Resource Reserve, among others”, she mentioned.
Mrs Fumey-Nassah disclosed that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources would soon launch a “Tree For Life Initiative” which will give stakeholders the opportunity to plant trees across the country, which will aid in protecting our forest and wildlife resources, and sustain the livelihoods of those who depend on it.
She commended all stakeholders, partners and foreign mission who have supported the Wildlife Division and the Commission’s work over the years, and called for more collaborations, and support from all citizens, given the enormous financial gap in conservation.
The Executive Director of the Wildlife Division, Dr Joseph Boakye Esq., elaborating on the theme for this year’s celebration said “the traditional funding sources like government allocations, donor grants and tourism revenues have proven inadequate, and often unpredictable to deal with the many challenges that confronts wildlife conservation managers.”
Dr Boakye also appealed to the Ashanti Regional Minister to help the Division open up the Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary/Park by constructing roads to the Waterfalls, and as well build a reception centre with washrooms for visitors’ convenience and patronage, to attract tourists and help boost the local economy.
Meanwhile, the intriguing and quiz competition saw the Dadease Agric Senior High School emerged first with 71 points. Tweneboah Kodua Senior High School, Bodomase Senior High Technical School and Bankoman Senior High School, came second with 59 points; third with 45 points; and fourth with 42 points, respectively.
The five (5) rounds of the quiz centred on questions on the Forestry Commission, World Wildlife Day, wildlife conservation, climate change, environmental laws and general knowledge. The winning school took home a cash prize ¢5,000, the second position took ¢4,000, the third position ¢3,000, and the fourth position received ¢2,000. Participating schools also received 40 branded Wildlife Division exercise books, 20 pens, a plaque and Certificate of Participation for each contestants.
The Operations Manager, WD, Mr Enoch Amassa Ashie, giving the closing remarks thanked the schools for their participation, noting that, he was impressed with their performance, in spite of the short notices given to them for the competition.
Solidarity messages were given by the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Prisons Service and Ghana National Fire Service, who pledged, their readiness in securing the wildlife resources of Ghana, and called on all citizens to abide by the laws.
