Ghana Marks World Wildlife Day 2026 with Renewed Call to Protect Medicinal Plants

Ghana has joined the global community in commemorating World Wildlife Day (WWD) 2026 with a strong call to conserve medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), which authorities say are vital to healthcare, biodiversity, and livelihoods.

This year’s celebration is being observed under the theme, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods.” The Forestry Commission says the theme highlights the indispensable role MAPs play in traditional medicine, modern pharmaceuticals, ecosystem stability, and economic development.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), medicinal and aromatic plants form the backbone of many healthcare systems worldwide, with numerous modern drugs derived from natural plant compounds. In Ghana, such plants are widely used in food preparation, cosmetics, and traditional medicine, particularly in rural and forest-fringe communities.

However, the Forestry Commission has warned that over-harvesting, habitat destruction, illegal trade, bush burning, illegal logging, and illegal mining—commonly known as galamsey—are placing enormous pressure on these critical resources.

“Without deliberate replenishment and conservation efforts, many medicinal plant species risk depletion, with serious consequences for biodiversity, healthcare systems, and economic stability,” the Commission noted in a statement issued to mark the day.

Strengthening Conservation Efforts

The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission currently manages a wildlife estate comprising seven national parks, six resource reserves, two wildlife sanctuaries, one strict nature reserve, five coastal wetlands, and two zoological gardens. The Division says it continues to promote awareness, strengthen law enforcement, support research, and develop ecotourism to ensure sustainable resource management.

As part of ongoing reforms, the Division is drafting a Legislative Instrument (LI) to operationalise the Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023 (Act 1115). The LI is expected to provide clearer guidelines on protected area management, wildlife trade regulation, licensing procedures, and the strengthening of the Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) system.

The Forestry Commission has also revised its mission statement to read: “To Protect, Sustainably Manage and Develop Ghana’s Forest and Wildlife Resources.”

Authorities say intensified efforts are underway to combat illegal mining and logging, with Rapid Response Teams and Resource Guards receiving improved logistics, tools, and training. Restoration programmes, including plantation development under the Modified Taungya System (MTS) and enrichment planting, are being implemented to rehabilitate degraded lands.

National Celebration at Kakum

The national durbar for World Wildlife Day 2026 will be held at Abrafo in the Central Region, with activities centred on Kakum National Park—Ghana’s most visited protected area. Events will include a quiz competition among senior high schools, exhibitions, and awards presentations.

Kakum National Park, famed for its 333-metre canopy walkway suspended 27 to 40 metres above ground, is also home to a rich diversity of medicinal and aromatic plant species.

Call for Collaboration

The Forestry Commission has urged traditional healers, herbalists, traditional authorities, metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies, civil society organisations, NGOs, the media, hunters, and the general public to collaborate in protecting Ghana’s plant and animal species.

It also called on businesses engaged in the use, sale, export, or import of MAPs and herbal products to comply with national laws and international conventions, particularly the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).