George Wireko-Brobby and Dr. Meyir Yiryele Ziekah in a group photograph with participants of the programme
TRADITIONAL LEADERS in the country have been urged to play leading roles to help protect forests and wildlife in their respective traditional jurisdictions to ensure the sustainability of the eco system.
George Wireko-Brobby, a member of the Forestry Commission of Ghana, who made the passionate call, said mankind depends heavily on the forest and wildlife for survival so it should be jealously protected at all times.
He has, therefore, implored traditional leaders to, as a matter of urgency, revisit the efforts made by their forebears to protect the forest and wildlife so that future generations would not face problems.
At a sensitisation programme on the ban of hunting and capturing of wild animals (closed season), which was graced by all the stakeholders in the wildlife industry, held at the Center for National Culture in Kumasi, Mr. Wireko-Brobby said, “I want to take this opportunity to respectfully appeal to our traditional leaders and chiefs to revive the innovative taboos, totemic systems and sacred grooves that might contribute to wildlife conservation to help us preserve wildlife resources for future generations.”
Mr. Wireko-Brobby, who is also the Board Chairman of Game Traders Association, a group that helps and train its members in the breeding of wildlife for commercial purposes, said mankind cannot survive without the forest and wildlife.
“Forestry plays a significant role in the provision of food, fuel, clothing, shelter, furniture, natural medicine, potable water, supply resources, bush meat and land for agriculture for the rural communities,” he stated.
He said the annual ban on hunting and capturing of wildlife, which takes effect from August 1 to December 1, is good as it helps to regulate the decline of wildlife resources in the country and ensure its sustainable use.
The programme was organised by the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission in Kumasi Zoo in collaboration with the Game Traders Association, and it was graced by bush meat dealers, security agencies and other stakeholders.
Dr. Meyir Yiryele Ziekah, the Kumasi Zoo Manager, appealed to the judiciary to give harsher sentences to people that would breach the four-month ban on hunting and capturing of wild animals so as to serve as deterrent to others.
FROM I.F. Joe Awuah Jnr., Kumasi