Three suspected poachers are facing prosecution after being arrested for illegal hunting in the Ankasa Conservation Area, Ghana’s last remaining wet evergreen rainforest.

The arrest, made on 9th July 2025, highlights the growing efforts of park authorities to clamp down on wildlife crime and protect the country’s dwindling biodiversity.

According to officials, the suspects—Frank Odame, 36, from Assin Manso (Central Region), Abraham Kwasi Sikapa, 45, from Yilo Krobo (Eastern Region), and George Avi, 48, from Akatsi (Volta Region)—currently live in Mumuni, a farming community in Ellembelle District, where they work as cocoa farmers.

The trio was caught red-handed in the Ayensu beat of the forest during a routine patrol led by five trained Resource Guards from the Dadwen Range Camp.

Seized from the suspects were three unlicensed locally made shotguns, 18 live cartridges, seven flashlights, three cutlasses, and bushmeat including one bay duiker, one Maxwell’s duiker, and five giant rats—a find that underscores the threats poaching poses to Ghana’s fragile wildlife populations.

Bribery Attempt Foiled

In a brazen twist, the suspects reportedly offered the patrol team GH¢7,000 to drop the case and secure their release. However, the guards declined the bribe and handed over both the suspects and the cash to the Elubo Police Station, reinforcing the Wildlife Division’s zero-tolerance approach to corruption and poaching.

The suspects are currently under investigation and are expected to face charges under Ghana’s Wildlife Resources Management Act (Act 1115).

Protecting Biodiversity

Commenting on the incident, Mr Bona Kyiire, Park Manager of the Ankasa Conservation Area, issued a stern warning to would-be poachers and forest encroachers.

“We will not tolerate any actions that destroy this protected environment. Our staff are trained and ready to defend the integrity of the forest,” he said.

Mr Kyiire also called for stronger community support and inter-agency collaboration to safeguard Ankasa’s rich biodiversity.

“Ankasa is the only wet evergreen rainforest managed by the Wildlife Division. It must be protected for the value it offers to biodiversity, climate, and tourism,” he stressed.

A Critical Ecosystem Under Threat

The Ankasa Conservation Area, covering about 509 square kilometres, is made up of the Nini Suhien National Park and the Ankasa Resource Reserve. It is recognised as Ghana’s most biologically diverse protected area, home to rare and endangered species such as the Forest Elephant, Bongo, and several threatened primates.

Beyond its ecological significance, Ankasa is a model site for Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) initiatives and has immense potential for eco-tourism development.

Park authorities believe that with sustained protection and community involvement, Ankasa could become a centre of excellence for rainforest management in West Africa, serving as a blueprint for conservation in the region.