The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission has announced the commencement of this year’s closed season for wildlife, effective August 1 to December 1, 2026, with a renewed appeal to the public to support efforts to conserve the country’s wildlife resources.

During the four-month period, the public has been advised to refrain from hunting, capturing or killing wild animals, in line with the Wildlife Conservation Regulations, 1971 (L.I. 685).

Offenders, according to the commission, risk prosecution and, upon conviction, could face fines ranging between 250 and 500 penalty units, a prison term of not less than one year and not more than two years, or both.

The Executive Director of the Wildlife Division, Dr Joseph Boakye, announced this at the launch of the 2026 Closed Season Observation at Nkurakan in the Eastern Region.

The event, held on the theme: ‘Protect Wildlife, Preserve Life,’ brought together traditional authorities, officials of the Ghana Education Service, security agencies, students and other stakeholders.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Boakye said the annual exercise reflected Ghana’s commitment to conserving its wildlife heritage and ensuring that future generations inherited healthy ecosystems capable of supporting livelihoods and national development.

He explained that the closed season was not meant to deprive people of their livelihoods or preferred delicacies, but rather to allow wildlife to breed, nurture their young and replenish declining populations.

“If we fail to observe the closed season, we will be consuming both the present and future generations of wildlife, leaving nothing for those who come after us,” he stressed.

Dr Boakye noted that strict compliance would help prevent the local extinction of species, maintain ecological balance and sustain ecosystem services on which many communities depended.

He also expressed concern about the growing threats to wildlife, including poaching, illegal bushmeat trade, bushfires, unsustainable farming practices, illegal mining and logging.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Dr Hugh Brown, indicated that the exercise served as a reminder that wildlife conservation was not only about protecting animals but also safeguarding ecosystems essential for human survival.

He said although Ghana was endowed with significant biodiversity, factors such as habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade, pollution, climate change, invasive species and unsustainable yet exploitation continued to threaten wildlife populations.

Dr Brown further noted that illegal hunting, indiscriminate bush burning, illegal mining, agricultural encroachment, logging and infrastructure development were placing increasing pressure on wildlife habitats, thereby undermining water security, ecosystem resilience and the livelihoods of communities.

He urged hunters, bushmeat traders, restaurant and chop bar operators, as well as wildlife traders and facility operators, to regularise any wildlife products acquired before the closed season by obtaining the required permits.