the volume of most hunted animal species - Cane Rat, Giant Rat, Black Duiker, Maxwell’s Duiker, Brush-tailed Porcupine and Bushbuck
A number of species, especially monkeys, are now severely threatened Martin, 1976. These include the Diana Monkey and White-naped Mangabey. While the Red
Colobus is probably locally extinct, the Bongo, Ogilby’s Duiker, Forest Buffalo, Yellow-backed Duiker, Giant Forest Hog, Giant Pangolin, Leopard and White-
breasted Guinea-fowl are all threatened from poaching activities Holbech, 1996. Sustainable production of bushmeat through domestic sources, such as Cane Rat
grass-cutter farming, that generates income while encouraging conservation and adequate enforcement of regulations could reduce the threats to wildlife poaching in
the region.
6.0 INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN GHANA
6.1 INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
Several key government ministries, departments and agencies MDAs and non- government organizations NGOs and institutions have policy and legislative
functions that directly or indirectly affect biodiversity management and conservation of forest, wildlife, and fisheries in Ghana. The key ministries are:
• Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources
• Ministry of Food and Agriculture
• Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing
• Ministry of Mines and Energy
• Ministry of Justice
• Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development
• Ministry of Trade and Industry
• Ministry of Environment and Science
Details of the mandates of the key implementing departments, agencies, NGOs and other institutions are presented in Appendix 1.
6.2 INTERNATIONAL MEASURES RELEVANT TO BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION IN GHANA
Ghana recognizes the important role of international cooperation and linkages in biological diversity conservation. It is a member of a number of international
organizations such as the United Nations and its Commissions and agencies, International Tropical Timber Organization, African Timber Organization, the World
Conservation Union IUCN, the African Union, Economic Commission of West African States, etc. Ghana also collaborates with the World Bank, International
Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank in programmes aimed at the sustainable development of the country’s natural resources.
Ghana is also a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on Migratory Species Bonn, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
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Species CITES, the Convention to Combat Desertification, the Convention on Climate Change, the World Heritage Convention and the Ramsar Convention on
Wetlands under which five coastal and one inland Ramsar Sites have been designated. Ghana also participates in the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve Programme
under which one Biosphere Reserve, the Bia National Park in the Western Region has been established. Regionally, Ghana is also a signatory to the African Convention on
the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission is the implementing agency for
four of these biodiversity-related conventions - the African Convention, Bonn Convention, Ramsar and CITES. The Biodiversity Convention is overseen by
Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology.
6.3 GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO POLICIES AND INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS
