EcoCare Ghana calls on government to uphold its commitment to Wildlife Conservation

EcoCare Ghana, has called on the government and other relevant stakeholders to uphold their commitment to wildlife Conservation by increasing investment and ensuring the full implementation of the Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023 (ACT 1115).

The World Wildlife Day, as an annual celebration on 3rd March each year to raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora. The global theme for this year’s celebration, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,” highlights the critical role of sustainable funding in preserving biodiversity, protecting ecosystems, and supporting livelihoods. With approximately one million species worldwide at risk of extinction, EcoCare Ghana is urging urgent action to prevent further biodiversity loss in the country.

In a press release dated March 3, 2025, EcoCare Ghana, a rights-based campaign and advocacy organization with focus on policy and practises around community rights and forests, and how it relates to development, climate change, wildlife conservation, agriculture and other land-use options, disclosed that Ghana boasts of diverse landscapes and rich wildlife, including endangered species such as elephants and pangolins. However, deforestation and habitat destruction continue to threaten the country’s ecosystems.

It further revealed that between 2001 and 2021, Ghana lost over 1.41 million hectares of tree cover, exacerbating climate change risks and endangering species that are crucial to the ecological balance. These losses, according to EcoCare Ghana, threaten essential ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, water regulation, and soil fertility, impacting both wildlife and local livelihoods hence the need for government and other relevant stakeholders reinforce their commitment to wildlife conservation

To address these challenges, EcoCare Ghana is urging the government to:

1. Strengthen and enforce wildlife protection laws under the Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023 (ACT 1115).
2. Fulfill international conservation commitments, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
3. Invest in ecotourism and community-led conservation to promote sustainable economic growth while preserving biodiversity.
4. Encourage private sector involvement in financing conservation efforts to restore habitats and protect wildlife.

A key demand from EcoCare Ghana is the immediate suspension of logging and mining activities in Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas (GSBAs), which were controversially opened for exploitation in 2024.

Beyond government action, EcoCare Ghana is calling on civil society organizations, businesses, and international partners to support sustainable forestry, reforestation programs, and community-based conservation initiatives.

According to EcoCare Ghana, investing in these areas will help safeguard wildlife, improve ecosystem services, and enhance the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.

The organization urges all Ghanaians to actively participate in conservation efforts and hold leaders accountable to ensure a sustainable future for the country’s wildlife.

For further inquiries, contact:

• Obed Owusu-Addai (Managing Campaigner, EcoCare Ghana) – 024 035 5320
• Evelyn Addor (Communication Officer) – 024 647 4228

EcoCare-Gh WWD2025 press Statement (1)

Source: Elvisanokyenews.net