During a joint operation by the Wildlife Division and the Forestry Commission’s (FC) Rapid Response Team in the Greater Accra and Central Regions, chop bar owners were left in a state of agitation after wildlife officers confiscated their assortment of bush meat.
At Adabraka, Agbobloshie, and East Legon in Accra, as well as at Winneba and Assin Fosu in the Central Region, chop bar owners had animals taken from their refrigerators, and others were discovered boiling in soup on fire. The porcupines, royal antelopes, and bongowere were either on display in the markets or sold by illegal poachers by the side of the road.
The three-day operation, which took place from October 22 to 25, was designed to enforce adherence to the wildlife closed season that the Commission had instituted in order to safeguard these species and encourage regrowth.
Ms. Ernestina Adumea Anie, the FC Wildlife Division’s Public Relations Officer, told the Ghanaian Times in Accra on Friday that several poachers who tried to stop the team from doing their jobs were taken into custody.
She added that the meat was confiscated from vendors who were selling it illegally while they were keeping an eye on things.
“Other managers in protected areas are monitoring various districts and regions,” she added.
Ms. Anie further stated that the traders whose items were seized were educated against such practices.
“The most appropriate action would have been to arrest the perpetrators, but it was decided that, since they were first-timers, education and awareness creation were necessary,” she added.
The PRO stated that the exercise would be replicated in other regions to ensure compliance.
She advised operators in the business not to hunt or sell wildlife during this period.
The annual closed season, which commences from August 1 to December 1, requires that hunters, traders, and chop bar operators obtain a license to operate. Anyone who defaults will face fines or imprisonment.
The only animal that can be hunted is the grass cutter, but only with a license.
