The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission and the nation at large are in mourning following the tragic killing of Mr. Raphael Ganyo, a dedicated Resource Guard stationed at the Kalakpa Resource Reserve in Abutia, Ho West District of the Volta Region.
Mr. Ganyo was brutally killed by suspected poachers in the early hours of Tuesday, January 6, 2026, while carrying out his lawful duty to protect Ghana’s wildlife resources. The incident occurred near the Zitoe Camp, deep within the reserve.
According to reports, at about 6:00 a.m., a wildlife patrol team responding to intelligence on suspected poaching activity encountered an armed individual hiding in dense vegetation within the reserve. In the course of the operation, Mr. Ganyo was shot in the chest by the suspected poacher. He sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving his colleagues traumatised and the conservation community devastated.
The incident was immediately reported to the Ghana Police Service. Crime scene investigations were promptly conducted, after which the body of the deceased was conveyed to the Ho Regional Hospital mortuary for autopsy.
The Forestry Commission has indicated that it is working closely with the Ghana Police Service to identify and apprehend the perpetrator(s). As of the time of this publication, no arrests have been made, but investigations remain ongoing. The Commission has vowed to pursue the case to its logical conclusion to ensure justice is served.
Mr. Raphael Ganyo was born on March 15, 1997, and hails from Mafi Kumasi in the Volta Region. He joined the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission on November 1, 2021, as a Resource Guard and served in the Law Enforcement Unit until his untimely death.
The Forestry Commission has extended its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of Mr. Ganyo, describing him as a dedicated and courageous officer who died in the line of duty while protecting Ghana’s natural heritage.
The tragic death of Mr. Ganyo underscores the serious risks faced by frontline conservation officers and highlights the urgent need for enhanced protection and support for those tasked with safeguarding the country’s forests and wildlife.
We earnestly appeal to the Ghana Police Service to conduct a swift investigation and ensure that the perpetrators of this heinous crime are arrested and brought to justice.
