The Forestry Commission has condemned in the strongest terms the killing of one of its staff, Mr. Raphael Ganyo, a Resource Guard of the Wildlife Division stationed at the Kalakpa Resource Reserve in the Volta Region.
In statement, on the official Facebook page of the Chief Executive of Forestry Commission, Dr Hugh Brown, he said Ganyo was fatally shot in the early hours of January 6, 2026, while on patrol duty near Zitoe Camp within the Reserve.
At approximately 06:00 hours, a patrol team responding to a suspected poaching incident encountered an armed individual concealed in dense vegetation near the boundary of the Reserve. During the operation, Mr. Ganyo was shot in the chest by the suspected poacher and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident was immediately reported to the Ghana Police Service. Crime scene investigations were conducted, after which the body of the deceased was conveyed to the Ho Regional Hospital morgue for preservation and autopsy. All relevant equipment recovered at the scene was handed over to the Police to support ongoing investigations.
Mr. Raphael Ganyo was born on 15 March 1997 and hailed from Mafi Kumasi in the Volta Region. He was employed by the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission on 1 November 2021 as a Resource Guard and served diligently as a member of the Law Enforcement Unit until his untimely death.
The Forestry Commission extended its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of Mr. Raphael Ganyo. He lost his life in the line of duty while protecting Ghana’s natural heritage.
The Commission promised that further updates will be communicated as investigations continue.
By Benjamin Aidoo
