The management of Mole National Park has issued a stern warning to residents around the game reserve to stop poaching in the park. The warning comes after the arrest of 45-year-old Adams Abass, a native of Soma in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District, who was caught poaching in the park.
Despite several arrests and community engagements, there has been a surge in poaching activities in the park by residents. Law Enforcement Officer at the Mole game reserve, Alfred Kofi Bara, expressed concern that the activities of these poachers endanger the safety of animals and could lead to the extinction of rare species.
Bara noted that the park’s management has sensitized residents against poaching on several platforms, but they continue to sneak into the park, kill animals, smoke them, and sell them to food vendors at a cheap price.
He warned that if they are not careful, they will not only extinct the animals but also destroy the game reserve, which will be a big blow to the country’s tourism industry. Bara assured that the rangers will continue to protect the park and will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any poacher.
Mole National Park is Ghana’s largest wildlife conservation, hosting elephants, antelopes, spotted hyenas, and other animals. The park is located in the West Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region and covers an area of 4,577 square kilometers.
Annually, the park records an average of 18,000 tourists, making it a significant contributor to the country’s tourism industry.
According to a 2017 Ghana tourism report, tourism is the third foreign exchange contributor to Ghana’s economy, contributing GH¢12,573.3 million. The report highlights the importance of protecting the park and its wildlife to ensure the continued contribution of tourism to the economy.
