President Akufo-Addo has approved a new law, the Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2024 (Act 1115), which aims to revise and consolidate all existing laws concerning wildlife and protected areas in Ghana.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Act was passed by Parliament on July 28, 2023, and received presidential assent on March 1, 2024.
The Wildlife Resources Management Bill had been pending for more than 15 years, having been presented to the fifth, sixth, and seventh Parliaments before finally being passed by the Eighth Parliament on July 28, 2023.
This information was conveyed in a statement issued by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, on Monday, April 8, 2024.
“Among others, the new law brings Ghana’s wildlife law in conformity with existing policies in the sector and provides for the implementation of international conventions on wildlife to which Ghana is a signatory. It provides for a new management structure to give legal backing to the involvement of local communities in wildlife management through the creation of Community Resources Management Areas (CREMAs) and provide higher penalties and sanctions regime for wildlife offences, deterrent enough to protect our wildlife resources.”
“The law also provides for the implementation of several international wildlife conventions to which Ghana is a signatory, such as the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitats (RAMSAR), 1971, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, (CITES), 1973, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (BONN), 1979, as well as several indicators in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he stated.
Mr. Jinapor emphasized his ministry’s commitment to the effective implementation of this crucial legislation. He stated that the goal is to efficiently and progressively preserve and manage Ghana’s wildlife resources. This effort, he emphasized, is guided by principles of transparency, integrity, and utmost good faith, ultimately benefiting all Ghanaians.
