Gov’t advocates for more Forestry Commission resources

Government has been urged to commit more resources into the forestry commission to enable them work effectively and fight illegal activities, reduce wildlife trafficking of both animals and plants and its related crimes, especially along the coasts of the Ghana.

The Executive Director of the Development Institute Mr Ken Kinney gave the advice at Akplowotoko in the Keta municipality during a visit by Joy News to the communities along the area where killing of sea turtles have become rampant.

According to Ken Kinney, the office of the wildlife in the area lacks basics equipment to be able to work effectively. Government must help resource the office to fight the illegal activities.                                           

"The wildlife office needs to be resourced immediately to help them work effectively," Mr Kinney said.

Mr Ken Kinney said that his organization, the Development Institute, is doing its very best to make sure that capturing and killing of sea turtles in the area is reduced to save the ocean from destruction.

Wildlife trafficking has a devastating impact on the biodiversity and increase in illegal logging strips a handful of criminals at the cost of entire society. Because of illegal poaching the loss of wildlife has risen drastically in West Africa over the decades.

Manager of the Keta Lagoon complex cite Karim Abdul Salifu said a lot needs to be done by both the authorities and the support from the communities in the protection of the sea turtles.

"We need support from the communities in the protection of the sea turtles," he said. “Capturing and killing of sea turtles has become a booming business in the Keta and South Tongu Districts, a situation which is very worryin . Often, the residents would wait until the female has deposited her eggs, capture them and kill them for both domestic and commercial purposes.”

In nature, sea turtles face a host of life and death obstacles. Bright Mawunyo Adzagba who has been helping with the rescue of sea turtles said that it is worrying that residents are not bothered about the environment.

According to Bright Adzagba, it is very risky trying to rescue the sea turtles because of numerous threats from the residents involved in the illegal act. 

Heavy poaching of sea turtles in Volta region alarming residents

“It has become very dangerous saving the animals due to threats by the residents on my life.”           

 He has pleaded for the authorities to take an urgent action on the situation.

Although sea turtles have spiritual or mythological importance in many cultures around the world, this has not prevented humans from consuming their eggs or meat. In many coastal communities, especially in Central America and Asia, sea turtles have provided a source of food.       

The most commonly eaten sea turtle meat comes from the green sea turtle. However, loggerheads, ridleys, and occasionally hawksbills and leatherbacks are also consumed by humans in various regions around the world.                                   

In order to help combat the threat posed by human consumption, governments must urgently have the communities along the coast educated on the need to preserve the lives of sea turtles and other animals, as well as informing people about the negative effects of the actions and the need to help preserve the environment.

 

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