NGOs call on government to pass bill to protect forest and wildlife

Friends of the Earth Ghana, a Non-Governmental Organization in collaborations with Ghana Wildlife society has called on government to treat as a matter of urgency pass on the wildlife resources management bill which has been in and out of parliament since 2014.

The Executive Director, Ghana Wildlife Society, Eric Lartey addressing the media at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, May 3rd emphasized the importance of the bill.

“This bill when passed would address challenges facing wildlife administration in Ghana as well as protect wildlife zones all around the country”

According to him, The Wildlife bill has been in and out of parliament for some time now, he said, it was submitted during the previous government but unfortunately there was a change of government and parliament was dissolved but they were optimistic that the bill will be re-submitted to the new parliament

This he described as the unwillingness of political parties to safeguard Ghana's wildlife

“The Bill is critical to the future of Ghana’s environment and wildlife resources which is fast disappearing”, he said.

Mr. Lartey was hopeful that the bill will be passed into law, as it will help strengthen the protection of Ghana’s forest and wildlife.

“Passing the bill will also mean that the community resource management Area Consult often referred to as CREMA will be established into law to give necessary support to communities to establish CREMA in and around forest resources to benefit communities and also support sustainable management of forest and wildlife.” He stressed adding that “their partners Friends of the Earth Ghana and other Environmental and conservation organizations including the Ghana Wildlife society were soliciting for the support of the media to raise awareness of the wildlife resource management bill and amount pressure on government and all other relevant institutions including the ministry and minister of lands and natural resources to treat the bill with a senses of urgency “Lartey pleaded.

Adding his voice to the call for the passage of the bill, Mr. Theo Anderson, Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, said Ghana’s forest resources are disappearing at about 20,000 hectors a year with which is bad news for the forest and wildlife community.

“As it stands the current levels of illegal and unsustainable trapping, killing and trading of Ghana’s wildlife including rare and protected species are destroying Ghana’s forest and wildlife” he said.