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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
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Prioritise affordable treatment of sickle cell treatment —Health Expert
Health experts have urged Ghana to prioritise affordable and accessible treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) as advanced, but costly curative therapies remain out of reach.
SCD, an inherited blood disorder, affects about three in every 100 newborns in Ghana.
Globally, around 1,000 babies are born with the condition daily, with three-quarters in sub-Saharan Africa.
The disease causes severe complications including chronic pain, anaemia, infections, strokes and organ damage, often leading to shortened life expectancy.
In recent years, gene therapy has been developed as a potential cure.
However, its cost—running into millions of dollars per patient—makes it financially and technically inaccessible in Ghana.
According to Dr Lawrence Osei-Tutu, a Sickle Cell and Childhood Cancer Expert at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, “the country must instead focus on practical, lower-cost interventions such as hydroxyurea”, a decades-old cancer drug proven to reduce painful episodes, hospitalisation and life- threatening complications in SCD patients”.
Taken orally, the medicine improves red blood cell function and is considered safe and effective.
“Hydroxyurea therapy is as good as the cure and a low-hanging fruit to pluck, we must bring a cure to our sickle cell warriors, but do so sustainably.” he urged.
In a chat with The Spectator here, he said to create awareness on the disease, the expert noted that despite its benefits, “hydroxyurea is not widely accessible in Ghana.”
Stressing that, “many patients either cannot afford it or struggle with irregular supply through the health system.”
Moreover, he argued that scaling up access would provide immediate relief while the country builds the infrastructure, trains specialists and secures funding needed to support curative therapies in the future.
With an estimated 15,000 babies born with sickle cell disease annually in Ghana, Dr Osei Tutu cautioned that “failure to improve access to effective treatment will leave many patients vulnerable to preventable complications and early death.”
From Kingsley E. Hope, Kumasi
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Let’s reintroduce Cultural Studies to complement educational reforms — Tourism Minister
Madam Abla Dzifa Gomashie, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has emphasised the importance of reintroducing Cultural Studies in schools as part of Ghana’s broader educational reform agenda.
She said Cultural Studies would complement existing efforts to reposition Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to promote digital literacy and expand Creative Arts education.
Speaking at the 2025 Homowo Festival of the people of Ningo-Prampram, held on the theme: “Education: The Best Legacy for our Children,” Madam Gomashie said cultural education was critical to national identity and development.
She noted that the festival’s theme aligned with the Government’s vision to transform education in Ghana and encouraged the youth to embrace it not only as a means of personal development but also as a way of preserving traditional values.
These values, including patience, wisdom, and hard work, were at the core of the Homowo celebration, the Minister said.
“Cultural festivals like Homowo are vital instruments for strengthening cultural identity, preserving historical memory, and fostering national unity. Additionally, festivals serve as platforms for educating the youth through storytelling, music, dance, and other traditional practices, while also providing opportunities for community engagement.”
Madam Gomashie highlighted the strong foundation that Ghana’s tourism was built on, which included culture, traditions, and the creative industry, collectively contributing to over GH¢4.8 billion to the economy.
“Festivals give tourists reasons to visit our country. Therefore, with the right infrastructure and the development of all the domains, the sector can do more than what has been recorded,” she added.
Mr Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram and Minister of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended the community for their vibrant participation in the festival. He announced plans for the construction of a new nursing training school in Ningo, aimed at expanding access to healthcare education in the area.
Nene Osroagbo Djangmah XII, Paramount Chief of Great Ningo Traditional Area; King Dr Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, Ga Mantse; Nene Tetteh Wakah III, Paramount Chief of the Prampram Traditional Area; Prof. Odaifio Welentsi III, Paramount Chief of the Nungua Traditional Area; Naana Dugbakuwor Dugba II, Paramount Queen Mother of Great Ningo; and Mr. Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Special Envoy on Religion and Inter-Faith Affairs, who represented the Chief of Staff, were among dignitaries at the festival. -GNA
