President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has signed into law an Act of Parliament, the Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2024 (Act 1115) which seeks to revise and consolidate all laws relating to wildlife and protected areas.
In a statement signed and issued by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor on Monday, April 8, 2024, disclosed that the Wildlife Resources Management Bill, which had been pending for over 15 years, was previously laid before the fifth, sixth and seventh Parliaments, until it was eventually passed by the Eighth Parliament, on 28th July 2023.
However, the bill was sponsored by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and passed by Parliament on 28th July 2023, and assented to by the President on 1 March 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”, Mr Jinapor explained.
He noted that the law allows the ministry to implement various international wildlife conventions in Ghana.
“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),” Jinapor stated.
Mr Jinapor added that the sector ministry was committed to the effective implementation of this important piece of legislation for the efficient and progressive preservation and management of the wildlife resources of our country, in the spirit of transparency, anchored on integrity and utmost good faith, for the benefit of the Ghanaians.