In a significant victory for wildlife conservation, five Resource Guards of the Ankasa Conservation Area stationed at the Dadwen Range Camp in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region tactically apprehended three notorious poachers who were illegally hunting in the Ayensu beat of the conservation area. The arrest on July 9, 2025, which was made during routine surveillance operations in the Park, underscores the Park’s intensified efforts to curb poaching and other illegal activities. The poachers were identified as Frank Odame, aged 36, from Assin Manso in the Central Region, Abraham Kwasi Sikapa, aged 45 from Yilo Krobo in the Eastern Region and George Avi, aged 48 from Akatsi in the Volta Region. All three are residents of Mumuni, within the Ellembelle District and are reportedly engaged in cocoa farming. Items Retrieved During the Arrest 3 were unlicensed locally manufactured shotguns, 18 live cartridges, 7 flashlights and 3 cutlasses. These tools were believed to have been used to pursue and kill multiple wildlife species within the forest. The Wildlife Species found with the poachers were 1 carcass of a Bay Duiker, 1 carcass of a Maxwell’s Duiker and 5 carcasses of Giant Rats.
The carcasses of Wildlife Species found with the poachers
The loss of these species particularly the duikers, which are integral to forest ecosystems raises concern about the impact of hunting on biodiversity in protected areas such as the Ankasa Conservation Area.
Bribery Attempt Foiled
Upon arrest, the suspects attempted to offer GHC 7,000 to the patrol team to evade prosecution. Officers rejected the offer and proceeded with the formal report, demonstrating integrity and commitment to conservation enforcement.
Action taken by management of the Park
All confiscated items including the amount of GH¢7000.00 and the poachers were handed over to the Elubo Police Station, where further investigations and prosecution procedures are underway. The case will likely serve as a precedent for future enforcement actions under the Wildlife Resources Management Act (Act 1115). In an interview granted by the Park Manager of the Ankasa Conservation Area, Mr Bona Kyiire, he served a note of caution to miscreants, poachers and all manner of persons who would want to indulge in similar crimes that destroy and pillage the environment.
He warned that staff of the park are ready to ensure that the integrity of the Ankasa Conservation Area is secured and well protected. This is because of the value and services that the Park provides as the only wet evergreen rain forest managed by the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission. He therefore made an appeal to all stakeholders to help in the conservation of this unique landscape so it becomes a Centre of excellence for the management of rain forests in the sub-region. The Ankasa Conservation Area, with a total estimated size of 509 sq. km is made up of the twin Reserves, Nini Suhien National Park and the Ankasa Resource Reserve. It is located in the wet evergreen tropical High Forest Zone of Western Ghana and is considered the most biodiverse protected area in the country in an almost pristine state. The park abounds in endemic and threatened flora and fauna such as Forest elephant, Bongo, and most of the primate species in Ghana. The Park was the first to pilot the community Resource Management Area concept in Ghana with the establishment of the Amokwaw CREMA and has a high potential for tourism development to benefit its adjoining Municipalities, District Assemblies (MDAs) and the nation at large.