Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar and aspiring for the presidency, has defended his controversial decision to import two tiger cubs into Ghana, which drew criticism for housing them at his residence.
He explained that his intention behind bringing in the tigers was to contribute to Ghana’s tourism industry and demonstrate that such exotic animals can be responsibly kept within the country and the broader African continent.
Cheddar, speaking in an interview with JoyNews on January 12, 2024, emphasised that the inclusion of the tigers aligns with his broader goals, and he plans to expand his collection to include a panther and several lions in the near future.
“For big cats. I just thought that having two tigers in Africa, people in Asia were saying that they will never survive in this part of Africa, which is the west, the east and the north. I was challenged to prove to them that, look, if my goat can survive in Asia, then why can your animals in Asia survive in Africa? So that’s why I went to bid for the animals, bought them, and brought them.
“I brought them because I wanted to create a zoo for them. I thought that creating a shelter for such animals also is part of my accruements, things that I have to do in life, and that’s not the end of it. I want to bring in a panther. I’m going to bring in some lions. I think that in the tourist world, there is more we can do. That industry, the tourism industry, has room for these things,” he said.
The businessman also bragged about his tigers, making Ghana the envy of many nations in Africa because just a handful of African countries have them.
“And I think right now, as we speak in Africa, apart from South Africa, Ghana is the only country that is with these two tigers. When you go to Nigeria, to Kenya, to everywhere, and I think the country should be proud, more so than I am, they should be proud that we have, that maybe we’re about to even breed them,” he said.
He added that these wild animals can even be given to other African countries after they are bred as a sign of unity.
“We’ll be the first country that will be able to give away tigers to countries like Nigeria and Kenya. I’m into unity. I’m into doing all of these things.”
Cheddar also revealed that the two tiger cubs remain alive and in good health, and a zoo for them has now been constructed.
According to a BBC report from November 28, 2023, Cheddar’s fully grown pet tigers are still housed at his residence in the Wonder World Estate in Accra.
The Agba family, who initially reported to authorities about the presence of the wild animals, remains concerned that the tigers have not been relocated.
As per the report, the court sided with the Agba family, who share a garden with Cheddar, and ruled that the tigers should be moved. The court directed the Forestry Commission, responsible for wildlife, to carry out the relocation within three days in November 2022.
However, lawyers representing the Forestry Commission informed the court that the animals could only be moved once Cheddar completes the construction of an enclosure at another location to house them.