A 48-year-old rubber tapper, Ofori Annor, has been sentenced to three years’ imprisonment by the Nkroful District Court for illegal hunting in the Ankasa Conservation Area.
Annor was convicted on three counts: unauthorised entry into a wildlife protected area, possession of a firearm and ammunition within a protected area, and illegal hunting of wild animals.
The offences contravene Sections 10(1), 11(1)(a), 11(1)(b), 19(4), and 36(1)(b) of the Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023 (Act 1115), which prohibit unlawful access, the carrying of weapons, and hunting in designated conservation zones.
Facts presented to the court showed that Annor was apprehended by patrol rangers during a routine anti-poaching operation inside the Ankasa Forest Reserve.
Upon his arrest, the officers recovered a shotgun, five live cartridges, and a cutlass from him. A further search revealed that he had killed two Maxwell’s duikers and four giant rats within the protected forest.
The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s biodiversity. Officials emphasised that protecting the unique ecosystem of Ankasa is essential for preserving national heritage, maintaining ecological stability, and securing resources for future generations.
The Commission stated that surveillance and patrols in protected areas will be intensified, while offenders will face stricter prosecution as part of sustained efforts to curb poaching and protect the country’s wildlife resources.