Wildlife officers seize bush meats from chop bar operators in Central region; owners and consumers angry
A variety of bush meats have been taken from chop bar owners in certain areas of the Central region by Forestry Commission officers assigned to the Wildlife Division.
Over a hundred bush meats, including those kept in referigerators, were seized by the team on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.
Along with the customers’ purchases and current consumption, some meat was also taken from burning soup bowls.
The impacted chop bar owners were located in the Effutu Municipality, Gomoa East and West District, and Awutu Senya Wast District.
Several operators expressed dissatisfaction with the wildlife officers’ behavior in an interview with Adom News, based in Accra.
They said that the officers broke into their place of employment, brandishing firearms and other dangerous equipment, inciting terror and panic.
However, Ernestina Adumia Anning, Public Relations Officer for the Wildlife Division, clarified that the purpose of the exercise is to uphold the prohibition against hunting bush meat.
According to Madam Anning, they will soon move to the side of the road to crack down on those who also sell to tourists.
She said that the owners of the chop bars whose meat was seized would be prosecuted and fined.
Ms. Anning cautioned the public against eating bush meat in the interim because anyone found guilty would be taken into custody.
