A ROCHA Ghana has condemned in no uncertain terms, the capture and killings of pangolins for the recently ‘Adom TV Fufuo Party’ held in Accra on Independence Day.
The act which was widely publicized on Adom Television’s Instagram page and viewed by over 12,000 fans is deemed to be in breach of the Wildlife Preservation Act 43 and its regulations in Wildlife Conservation Regulation L.I 685 and its Amendments.
A Rocha Ghana has therefore called for an investigation into activities that led to the display of a dead and alive pangolin, an endangered and wholly protected species in Ghana, at the ‘Adom TV Fufuo Party’.
A statement signed by Daryl Bosu, Deputy National Director of A Rocha Ghana and copied to the media on Sunday said “it has come to our notice that organizers of the second edition of the popular ‘Adom TV Fufuo Party’ which took place on March 6, 2019, supervised the ‘Illegal’ use of PANGOLINS, an endangered and globally protected species for some of the local delicacies featured at the event”.
It said “In a widely publicized video spotted by our team, two Pangolins, commonly known as ‘aprawa,’ an endangered species, together with other animals had been stunned and displayed on a mat at the premises of the Multimedia Group, one of the largest independent commercial media and entertainment company in Ghana, during the event. One of the pangolins was clearly alive, while the other was dead, with blood all over its scales”.
It added that “Rocha Ghana finds it hard to believe that a well-respected media entity like Adom TV oversaw such illegality three weeks, after the 16th of February, which was World Pangolin Day, where the hashtag #Stoppangolintrade was in the trends for two days running and the day carried by several media outlets.”
The statement said the feature and publicity of Adom TV which encouraged and endorsed the capture and destruction of pangolins was most unfortunate and erodes efforts in the last five years to minimize and eliminate the trade in pangolins.
Remedial Action
The statement invited Adom TV to remedy the impropriety and show true commitment to the fight against pangolin hunting and trade by using its popular television and social media handles to support national efforts at addressing the pangolin hunting and trade in Ghana.
It reiterated the fact that the hunting, trade and destruction of pangolins was illegal and persons found culpable must be allowed to face the full rigorous of the law.
According to the statement, A Rocha Ghana was firmly and resolutely committed to all necessary measures that will ensure that Pangolins do not go into extinction and are equally resolved to fight the menace of poaching and trading of the endangered species.
The Organisation called on all well-meaning individuals and organizations to join the fight in ending pangolin trade in Ghana, adding, “Let’s work together to reduce consumer demand for these products through awareness campaigns. You can help by spreading the word on social media and always saying no to pangolin products.”
Facts about the Pangolin
According to the statement, recent studies has found that about 400,000 pangolins are traded every year in Africa, with the trade increasing and no solution in site making it crucial for targeted awareness and dedicated law enforcement and compliance actions to secure this amazing creature.
It said out of the eight species of Pangolins in the world, Ghana has three including tree or African white-bellied pangolin, Giant ground pangolin and Long-tailed or black-bellied pangolin.