New Wildlife Resources Management Bill to be presented to Parliament

The new bill, according to the ministry, will provide a management structure to give legal backing to the involvement of local communities in wildlife management and provide higher penalties and sanctions for wildlife offenses.

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A new Wildlife Resources Management Bill 2021, is set to be presented to Parliament for consideration and passage as it has been approved by Cabinet.

The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources said in a statement.

The new bill, according to the ministry, will provide a management structure to give legal backing to the involvement of local communities in wildlife management and provide higher penalties and sanctions for wildlife offenses.

Additionally, if the bill is passed, it is expected to provide an implementation framework for several international wildlife conventions to which Ghana is a signatory. Some of these are, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitats, 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).

The current laws governing the management of wildlife were passed more than 50 years ago. Civil Society Organisations have since 2018, called on the ministry and parliament to revise the Wild Animals Preservation Act, 1961 (Act 43), the Wildlife Conservation Regulations, 1971 (L.I. 685) and the Wildlife Reserves Regulations, 1971 (L.I. 710).

“These laws do not provide a proper legal framework for the implementation of the Forest and Wildlife Policy, 2012, the Forestry Development Master Plan (2016-2036) and other national and international frameworks that guide sustainable resource management, all of which were adopted years after the current legislation,” parts of the ministry’s statement read.

“Apart from these deficiencies, the current legislation does not clearly define the aims and objectives of wildlife management and the various categories of protected areas, as well as lack deterrent sanctions for wildlife offences.”

The ministry added that it is confident of the passage of the bill into law, so Ghana’s wildlife resources could be managed effectively.