The Forestry Commission has strongly condemned the killing of Richard Otwey, a Senior Ranger of the Wildlife Division at the Kakum Conservation Area, who was shot dead while on an anti-poaching patrol.
Otwey was killed in the line of duty during a routine forest protection operation at the Kakum Conservation Area in the Central Region.
According to the Forestry Commission, Otwey and three other officers, John Otsiwah, Benjamin Ahado and Stephen Arthur, had embarked on a three-day patrol from the Briscoe 2 Camp near the Kruwa community.
The team reportedly detected an active poachers’ trail and decided to mount an ambush.
At about 5:15 a.m. on Saturday, August 22, the officers spotted two torchlights approaching their position.
The Forestry Commission says the suspected poachers were ordered to surrender but fled in different directions, prompting a pursuit.
During the chase, one of the suspects allegedly dropped a sack, turned around and opened fire, shooting Richard Otwey, who was leading the pursuit.
He died from his injuries.
One of the suspects was arrested and identified as John Mensah, a resident of Assin Betwease in the Assin South District.
Police say the arrested suspect identified the alleged shooter as Bukari Abudu, who is currently on the run.
The body of the slain ranger was retrieved from the forest and conveyed to the Abura Dunkwa Government Hospital mortuary pending an autopsy.
Third Attack on Wildlife Staff in 2026
The Forestry Commission says Otwey’s death is the third incident this year in which frontline staff of the Wildlife Division have been shot or attacked while performing their duties.
It says Raphael Ganyo, an officer at the Kalakpa Resource Reserve, was shot and killed during an encounter with suspected poachers, while another officer, Abukari Suman, was seriously injured after being shot at the Gbele Resource Reserve.
In a separate incident, an officer at the Bui National Park was reportedly kidnapped and later found tied to a tree.
The Commission also cited an attack on a forest protection camp at Babatokuma near Kintampo, where an angry mob allegedly burnt down staff accommodation and assaulted some officers.
The Forestry Commission says the incidents highlight the growing dangers faced by frontline personnel working to protect Ghana’s forests and wildlife from illegal activities.
Call for More Staff and Stronger Punishment
The Commission has renewed its call on the government to approve the recruitment of more than 2,500 additional personnel to strengthen its capacity to protect the country’s forest and wildlife resources.
It is also appealing to the judiciary for the speedy prosecution of alleged forest offenders and the imposition of appropriate sanctions to serve as a deterrent.
The Commission has further urged forest-fringe communities to provide information on suspected illegal activities to the nearest Police station or Forestry Commission office.
The Wildlife Division has also reminded the public that the annual closed season for hunting, which runs from August 1 to December 1, remains in force.
During this period, the hunting, capturing or killing of wild animals is prohibited, except for the grasscutter, in accordance with the applicable wildlife regulations.
Richard Otwey, the Commission said, lost his life while protecting Ghana’s natural heritage.
The Forestry Commission has extended its condolences to his wife, children, family and colleagues, while commending members of the patrol team for their courage.
Police and Forestry Commission officials say efforts are continuing to arrest the suspect believed to have fired the fatal shot.
By Peter Quao Adattor/paqmediagh
