The Forestry Commission of Ghana has announced a ban on hunting and capturing of wild animals effective Thursday August 1, 2024 until  December 1, 2024.

The annual ban, which is declared and known as the ‘Close Season’, is in accordance with the Wildlife Conservation Regulation 197, LI 685.

Addressing a gathering of chiefs and people of the Busunu traditional area during the mini launch of the 2024 close season for hunting at Busunu in the Savannah Region under the theme : ‘Wildlife: A Heritage We Must Conserve”, the Savannah Regional minister Hon Saeed Jibril Muhazu indicated that it is very important to protect wildlife species for both present and the future generations since wildlife and biodiversity is not just a natural resource but a critical part of our heritage and livelihood.

He indicated further that the wildlife species play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting the Ghanaian economy through tourism and preserving cultural heritage of the various communities.

He lamented that the threats to wildlife especially in the Mole National Park is real since poaching, habitat destruction, climate change and human conflicts are some of the challenges facing the wildlife sector

He said the close season is the time for everyone to take a decisive decision since it is the period during which hunting and other activities that threaten wildlife are restricted, allowing population to recover and habitats to regenerate, adding that the season is also about awareness creation and education which we must work together to raise awareness about the importance conservation we can take to protect wildlife.

Deputy Chief executive of the forestry commission, Mr Sulemana Nyadia Nelson in an address indicated that the time to combat climate change and protect the forest cover and wildlife resources is now since it is not just an environmental issue but a humanitarian crisis that  affects everybody.

He said Ghana is blessed with abundant forests and diverse wildlife as it is showcased at the Mole National Park and has been recognized as a custodian of nature’s bounty, adding that we must act now guided by the principles of sustainable forest and wildlife management and conservation since it is the responsibility of custodians of the land to protect and restore the nations resources.

Paramount chief of the Busunu traditional area, Busunuwura Jonokpowu in a speech indicated that Busunu is one of the communities that have lost most of it’s communities for the establishment of the Mole National Park, the Busunu community owes  it a big responsibility to ensure that the park is adequately protected against what ever that may affect its operations.

He said government on its part is duty bound to ensure the provision of alternative livelihood system to displaced persons to ward them off the reserve area.

He went further to mention that the Close Season is the period that is observed to provide some briefing space or holidays to poachers and to allow wild animals in both the protected and non protected areas to liter or get extinct.

He used the opportunity to express his gratitude to the overlord of the Gonja Kingdom Yagbonwura Soale Biikunuto Jewu I for supporting and implementing the ban on communal hunting in the entire Gonja Kingdom which was amply supported by Ndan Yaana of the Dagbon Kingdom.

The Forestry Commission annually announces the ‘Close Season’ in order to check the fast decline of wildlife in the country’s forest reserves.

The Forestry Commission has been of the view that the wealth of biodiversity the country has, is being lost due to encroachment, illegal mining, forest degradation, unbridled hunting among other things.

It has been observed that the decline of wildlife in the country must be reversed to sustain human livelihood and Ghana’s heritage.

The Savannah Regional House of Chiefs in a meeting of the House held on Wednesday 24th July 2024 adopted a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Regional House of Chiefs and the Regional Department of Gender to ensure that women in the Savannah Region have predictable and uninterrupted access to fertile land for agriculture.

The adoption and signing of the MoU was facilitated by MEDA’s Greater Rural Opportunities for Women 2 (GROW2) project funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

The GROW2 project is a five year project which aims at supporting 40,000 smallholder women farmers, 5,000 entrepreneurs and 50 agribusiness at least 50% women led in soybean, groundnut and vegetable value chain of northern Ghana by fostering an improved business environment, increased application of climate-smart and nutrition focused agricultural practices and enhance gender equality.

Addressing the members of the Regional House of Chiefs, Mr. Francis Essuman who is the Country Project Manager for MEDA’s GROW2 project said the project is being implemented by Mennonite Economic Development Associates in partnership with ACDEP, TUDRIDEP, PRONET NORTH, and URBANET and that the project is being implemented in Northern, Savannah and Upper West Regions.

According to Mr Essuman, within two years of actual implementation, the project has reached 52,612 women smallholder farmers in 27 districts to access finance, technology services including output market, capacity building, GESI and nutrition interventions among others.

Mr Francis Essuman also added that a total number of 60 agribusinesses with 55% of them being women have been enrolled and more than 12 agriculture technology service providers have been enrolled unto the project.

Mr. Essuman further revealed that in the Savannah Region, a total of 8,928 persons have benefited from the project including 1,016 persons having access to credit worth GHC 871,400.00

According to him, MEDA and its partners are able to achieve these with the support of traditional authorities and other development partners.

Mr Essuman said there is no doubt that the support of traditional authorities including sustained access to productive land will boost agriculture production which will contribute to improve food security and nutrition in the Savannah Region and Ghana as a whole.

The President of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs HRM Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I) whose speech was read on his behalf by the Registrar of the house said efforts and collaboration to uplift the esteem House and development of livelihoods with the GROW2 project, is highly commended with passionate gratitude and appreciation.

The Yagbonwura expressed gratitude to MEDA and other collaborators and that the purpose of the meeting is to assist women to access lands for Agricultural purposes.

Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto therefore called on the House to give ample support to the GROW2 project to benefit women and people of Savannah Region.

The Yagbonwura added that to achieve success in the GROW2 project, peace plays a pivotal role to anchor the dream that they are setting and urged all the members of the house to become perfect hunters to hunt for peace in the Savannah Region.

HRM Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I) has today Wednesday 17th July 2024 embarked on a visit to the construction site of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs Office Complex.

His visit was to inspect the project and also to ascertain the stage of completion.

Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto urged the contractor to do a quality work.

The Yagbonwura was accompanied by the  Damongo-Wura, some sub-chiefs and the Registrar of the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs.

Briefing the Yagbonwura on the project, Mr Ibrahim Adam who is the site engineer said the project is a government of Ghana project under the auspices of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs awarded to Vulcan Holdings Ghana Limited as the contractor.

The project site engineer Mr Ibrahim Adam said the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs Office Complex is a 2-storeybuilding with a 150 persons capacity main auditorium when completed.

He added that the office complex will also have a presidential daise, offices for the registrar, the president of the house and his vice.

Mr Ibrahim Adam further added that the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs Office Complex will also have a cafeteria for refreshment and bungalows for officers of the Regional House.

He said the project which is currently at the sub-structure stage at the time of visit of the Yagbonwura is expected to complete in 18-months time that is projected to fall within the month of September 2025.

In a historic display of unity and solidarity, the Jakpa Palace in Gonja Kingdom welcomed a high-powered delegation from the Dagbon Kingdom on Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 led by Naa Bawa Mahamadu (V), Paramount Chief of the Nanton Traditional Area and other Paramount Chiefs, sub-chiefs, warriors, and elders. The delegation represented Ndan Yaa-Naa Yakubu Andani (II), King and Overlord of the Dagbon Kingdom.

The purpose of the visit was to ensure the safe return of Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale (I), King of Gonja, after his historic visit to the Dagbon Kingdom.
The delegation’s gesture was a testament to the strong bond between the two kingdoms and their commitment to peace and unity.

The Yagbonwura’s visit to the Gbewaa Palace in Yendi, the capital of the Dagbon Kingdom, took place on June 25th, 2024.
During his visit, the Yagbonwura and his delegation were warmly received by the Yaa-Naa and his subjects. The two monarchs held fruitful discussions, strengthening the ties between their kingdoms and paving the way for future collaborations.

The return delegation’s visit to the Jakpa Palace was a reciprocal gesture, solidifying the newfound partnership between the Gonja and Dagbon Kingdoms.
The atmosphere at the Jakpa Palace was filled with joy, cheer, and gratitude as both kingdoms expressed their appreciation for the steps taken to strengthen their relationship.

Mr. Alhassan Fatawu, Registrar to the Dagbon Kingdom, spoke on behalf of the delegation, expressing their joy and gratitude for the warm reception.

Mr. Abutu Kapori, Registrar for the Savannah Regional House of Chiefs, speaking on behalf of the Yagbonwura, thanked the Dagbon Kingdom for their efforts in fostering unity and peace between the two kingdoms.

The delegation and their hosts had a dinner together, feasting on traditional dishes and celebrating their newfound friendship. The delegation, comprising over 42 members, was warmly received by the Yagbonwura and his subjects, marking a significant milestone in the history of both kingdoms.

This historic visit and the exchange of goodwill gestures demonstrate the commitment of both kingdoms to promoting peace, unity, and cooperation.

The people of Gonja and Dagbon kingdoms celebrate this momentous occasion, acknowledging the importance of unity and solidarity in building a brighter future for generations to come.

The President of the Bole Traditional Council cum  Paramount Chief of the Bole Traditional Area, Bolewura Sarfo Kutuge Feso (I), has expressed his delight at the appointment of a substantive Registrar by the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs to oversee the affairs of the Council.

Speaking at his Palace on Friday, July 5, 2024, during the official introduction of the Registrar, Mr. Mohammed Abdulai, Bolewura Sarfo Kutuge Feso (I) praised the move, saying it marks a significant milestone in the Council’s history.

Mankumawura, a member of the Bole Traditional Council, welcomed the new Registrar and noting that Bole is fortunate to have one of their own grandsons at the helm of the Council’s affairs. He urged the Registrar to excel in his new role for the smooth operation of the Council.

The sentiments were echoed by Sigriwura the protocol head of the Denkeripe royal gate, Salaawura protocol head of safope royal gate,  some Council members, chiefs, and elders present at the palace of Bolewura unanimously welcomed the Registrar.

The Bole Traditional Council, one of four newly inaugurated Traditional Councils in the Savannah region, was inaugurated on 26th January 2023 by Kananpewuriche Fati Lily Soale, former Ag. Chief Director for the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, on behalf of the Hon. Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs. The rest of the newly inaugurated  Traditional Councils in the Savannah region in 2023 were Busunu, Wasipe, and Buipe Traditional Councils.

Source: Savannah Region House of Chiefs