A 42-year-old teacher from the Upper West Region has been arrested for poaching in Mole National Park, over 100 kilometers away from his home. Johah Forkah, a native of Sorbelle in the Sissala-West District, was caught by park staff on Sunday, June 23, 2024.
According to Forkah, he had taken permission from his school, Kanton Senior High School, to attend to personal matters at home. However, he was lured into poaching by a friend, known as C. K., from the Grumbelle community in the Wa-East District.
Forkah, along with another friend, Lukeman, illegally entered the park on Saturday, June 22, 2024, and set up a poaching camp in the Gbanwelle area. The next day, they killed a warthog, and while Lukeman transported the carcass back to their camp, Forkah and C. K. continued hunting.
Upon their return to the camp, they were confronted by park rangers who had set up an ambush. The rangers commanded them to surrender, but they fled. Following a pursuit, Forkah was apprehended.
The park staff has taken Forkah into custody, and further investigations are underway.
