Wildlife guard killed by suspected poachers at Kalakpa Resource Reserve

A wildlife resource guard has been shot dead by suspected poachers at the Kalakpa Resource Reserve in Abutia, Ho West District of the Volta Region.

The deceased, Raphael Ganyo, served as a Resource Guard with the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission at the reserve.

He was fatally shot in the early hours of Tuesday, January 6, 2026, while on routine patrol near Zitoe Camp within the reserve.

Reports indicate that at about 0600 hours, a wildlife patrol team moved to investigate suspected poaching activities in the protected area.

During the operation, the team encountered an armed individual hiding in dense vegetation.

In the ensuing confrontation, Ganyo was shot in the chest by the suspected poacher and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A follow-up by the Ghana News Agency revealed that no arrest has been made so far, but investigations into the incident have commenced.

Confirming the incident, Chief Inspector Francis Gomado, Public Relations Officer of the Volta Regional Police Command, said: “The Police can confirm the killing, but we cannot comment further as investigations are ongoing.”

Meanwhile, conservation stakeholders and residents of the Abutia enclave have appealed to the Ghana Police Service to conduct swift investigations and ensure the perpetrators of the heinous crime are arrested and brought to justice.