“I Will Save Shai Hills” – DCE Ignatius Dordoe Declares War on Encroachers Threatening Wildlife Reserve

By: Nana Kwasi Roka

The newly appointed District Chief Executive for Shai-Osudoku, Hon. Ignatius Godfred Dordoe, has vowed to take swift and drastic action to halt the destruction of the Shai Hills Resource Reserve – one of Ghana’s most treasured ecological and cultural landmarks – in the wake of alarming encroachment and environmental degradation.

In an exclusive interview with The Alhajj News, the DCE said his office is prioritizing the protection of the reserve from illegal quarry operations, unauthorized structures and environmental abuse that threaten both the region’s biodiversity and its tourism potential.

DCE Promises Swift Intervention

Barely two months into office, Hon. Dordoe has already begun assessing the dire challenges threatening the 51-square-kilometre Shai Hills Reserve – a sanctuary for baboons, antelopes, sacred groves and historic caves.

“My mandate includes safeguarding not just the lives of the people but also the natural heritage of this district. The animals are fleeing, the land is being destroyed and tourism is collapsing. We won’t sit idly by.”

He emphasized a multi-sectoral approach, involving the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Forestry Commission, Lands Commission, traditional authorities and community members.

Quarry and Land Grab Menace

According to the DCE, the explosion of quarry activities in areas like Greenstone, Aprah, and Odukope – many operating too close to the reserve – poses a grave environmental and safety risk.

“We’ve received reports that certain companies are encroaching into buffer zones, violating regulations. This must stop. We’ll work with the EPA and Minerals Commission to audit every quarry around the reserve.”

Drone evidence and on-the-ground investigations confirm that large tracts of land near the reserve’s edge have been cleared for quarry expansion, often with no regard for ecological impact or legal boundaries.

Crackdown on Illegal Structures

Hon. Dordoe disclosed that over 17 unauthorized buildings have been identified within fringe zones of the reserve. Some developers allegedly began construction without proper documentation, others with forged permits.

“I’ve already directed the Assembly’s physical planning unit to collaborate with the Forestry Commission and task force teams. Demolitions will commence soon for all illegal structures.”

He also warned landguards and unscrupulous individuals selling reserve lands that they would face prosecution.

Saving the Wildlife and Tourism

The DCE acknowledged that wildlife is dwindling due to blasting, deforestation and encroachment. Reports show baboon sightings have drastically declined and local tour guides are losing income.

“We’ll restore this reserve to its glory. A conservation taskforce will be created”and eco-tourism businesses will receive support. It’s not just about nature – it’s also about jobs, culture and national pride.”

Tour operators like Leticia Owusu, who manages a nearby eco-lodge, say they’ve had to cancel tours due to noise and safety concerns.

Concrete Measures Announced

Hon. Dordoe outlined the following steps to restore and protect the reserve:

● Environmental audit of all activities around the reserve

● Immediate re-demarcation of reserve boundaries using GPS and digital mapping

● Deployment of community-based rangers and task force units

● Moratorium on further quarry expansion within a defined radius

● Public education campaigns in schools and communities on conservation

● Collaboration with traditional leaders to reclaim encroached sacred sites

He is also exploring the idea of establishing a Shai Hills Conservation Fund to be financed through local revenue, NGO partnerships and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from nearby quarry companies.

The Bigger Picture

The DCE urged Ghanaians and relevant state institutions to see the Shai Hills not just as a tourist attraction but as a living, breathing ecosystem that connects heritage, environment and sustainable development.

“We have a duty to protect this land for future generations. If we let greed win, the baboons won’t be the only ones who vanish. Our culture, livelihoods and environment will go too.”

As he rolls out this ambitious rescue mission, residents, conservationists and business owners alike are watching closely, hoping that Shai Hills can be saved – before it’s too late.