Wildlife Resources Management Bill 2022 Passed

The Wildlife Resources Management Bill 2022 was ratified by the Ghanaian Parliament after its third reading on Friday, July 28.

Benito Owusu-Bio, the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Lands and Forestry, introduced the motion on behalf of the sector minister, Samuel A.

The bill, according to Jinapor, aims to revise and consolidate all laws pertaining to Wildlife and Protected Areas and bring them in line with current policies and emerging trends in the natural resources sector.

The new legislation will also ensure that the International Conventions on Wildlife, to which Ghana is a signatory, are effectively implemented.

In addition, through the establishment of Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs), the legislation will provide local communities with legal support for wildlife management. Furthermore, the legislation introduces higher penalties and sanction regimes for wildlife offences, which are sufficiently deterrent to protect wildlife resources.

"Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, wishes to extend its gratitude and commendation to all its stakeholders and key actors for their contributions and support throughout the review process and final passage of the Bill into a new law," the Ministry said in a statement following the passage.