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Bush meat traders pledge to halt Pangolins
Bush meat sellers at Atwemonom, a local market centre for bush meat sales in Kumasi, have pledged to rally behind the government and stakeholders to halt the illegal trade and exploitation of pangolins, a critically endangered species.
The traders pointed out that, after learning about the enormous contributions of pangolins to ecosystem protection, it was time they ceased all forms of trade of the animal, which is one of the local delicacies among bush meat lovers in Kumasi and allow them to exist and multiply for the conservation chain to continue.
Madam Comfort Badu, Queen mother of Atwemonom Bush Meat Sellers, indicated that the traders were going to engage with the hunters to halt bringing in pangolins to the market for sale.
“We will talk to our hunters not to kill or bring the meat of pangolins to us again. It is serious to protect them, and again, the government has laws guiding the trading, poaching, and handling of pangolins. Any hunter who does not heed our advice and gets caught by the law does so at his own risk,” she buttressed.
Madam Badu was contributing to the discussions at the 2025 World Pangolin Day, organised by the Institute of Nature and Environmental Conservation (INEC) Ghana, in Kumasi.
The 2025 celebration was under the theme: ‘Youth Legacy for Pangolin Conservation.’
It brought together students from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Toase Senior High School, Officers from the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Custom Officials and Bush meat Traders from Atwemonom.
Madam Badu assured that the market women would scrutinise the meat hunters’ supplies before making purchases.
Mr David Kwarteng, Executive Director, INEC Ghana, commended the market women for pledging support for the fight against poaching and trading of pangolin meat and scales.
He reiterated that pangolins were the most trafficked animals in the world and in Ghana the scaled animals faced a lot of challenges.
What was more worrying according to Mr Kwarteng, was the inability of conservationists to have data on how many pangolins left the wild each year.
It is heartwarming to hear from our mothers assuring us to report, confiscate, and educate hunters on the need to stop harvesting pangolins, the feedback from the traders has been refreshing.
The expectation is also that law enforcement agencies will administer the laws on pangolin trade and the justice system give appropriate sentencing to people who flout the law”, he observed.
Dr Meyir Zeikah, Manager of the Kumasi Zoological Gardens, called on the public to continuously bring rescued animals, including pangolins, to the Zoo for treatment and rehabilitation.
All eight pangolin species in the world are protected under national and international laws, and two are listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. –GNA
The Ghana Highway Authority has announced a temporary traffic management arrangement on sections of the Accra Tema Motorway and the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange as construction work continues on the motorway expansion project.
In a public announcement issued on March 5, the Authority explained that the arrangement forms part of ongoing construction works under the Accra Tema Motorway and Extension Projects.
It noted that the traffic adjustment is required to allow contractors carry out T beam launching works for the expansion of the Tetteh Quarshie Interchange Bridge on the N1 highway.
Under the arrangement, lanes on the N4 northbound carriageway, which serves traffic moving from Accra to Madina, will be temporarily closed.
Meanwhile, the southbound carriageway from Madina to Accra, which currently has four lanes, will be reconfigured into two lanes in each direction to accommodate traffic moving both ways.
The Authority indicated that the temporary traffic changes will take effect from Monday, March 9, 2026 and are expected to last for four months.
According to the statement, the lane reduction is necessary to create a safe working space for construction personnel and to ensure the safety of motorists using the road.
The Authority therefore advised drivers to be cautious, obey traffic signs and cooperate with traffic management officials throughout the construction period.
It encouraged members of the public who require further information to contact its Public Affairs Division through WhatsApp on 0551622244.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The National Chief Imam, Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, has congratulated the Government and people of Ghana as the country marks its 69th Independence Day, urging citizens to renew their commitment to national unity and democratic values.
In a statement to commemorate the celebration on March 6, he encouraged Ghanaians to use the occasion to strengthen their dedication to constitutional democracy, economic progress, interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence.
He observed that the world was currently facing several challenges, including the rise of authoritarian governments and increasing military conflicts among nations.
According to him, humanity was experiencing turbulent times, with genocidal attitudes and violent extremism becoming more widespread in different parts of the world.
The Chief Imam explained that such global developments should inspire Ghanaians to come together and deepen their commitment to nation building while embracing unity in diversity.
He noted that although colonialism left a painful mark on the country’s history, Ghanaians could take comfort in their collective determination to overcome colonial subjugation and build a free nation.
Reflecting on the country’s independence struggle, he indicated that Ghanaians now remembered the victory for liberty rather than the hardship endured during the fight against tyranny.
The National Chief Imam offered prayers for divine guidance and blessings for the President, John Dramani Mahama, the Government and the people of Ghana.
By: Jacob Aggrey
