Caleb Ofori-Boateng
Tusk Conservation Award 2021 finalist Caleb Ofori-Boateng is protecting amphibians in Ghana
Global population declines of amphibians prompted Caleb Ofori-Boateng to establish Herp-Conservation Ghana (Herp-Ghana) in 2006 to improve the conservation status of cold-blooded vertebrates in his country through research and advocacy.
“I found the last remaining population of a critically endangered frog, Conraua derooi, in forests in eastern Ghana that did not occur in government-protected land,” says Caleb. “It inhabited streams and was hunted for a local delicacy.” To save the species, the herpetologist launched a conservation awareness programme here and in nearby communities: “I talked to local people regularly when they gathered at their respective churches and established a volunteer group that I trained so they could educate their friends.” Over 100 volunteers are now working in the field.
As a result of these outreach activities several landowners donated land to create a protected area of more than 12,000 acres to safeguard the remaining habitat of Conraua deroo and stopped hunting the species. “It took a lot of sacrifice and commitment from the local people to positively respond,” he says. In addition, Caleb worked with the government to get the reserve formally recognised in 2018, and set up a grassroots wildlife management scheme.
Caleb’s contribution to the discovery and description of five new amphibian species has advanced conservation efforts. In 2018, his description of Phrynobatrachus afiabirago triggered the creation of the Atewa Forest Range, which was made an Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) site in 2021. “The Atewa forest has been targeted for bauxite mining that will likely destroy 100 threatened species and the source of water for over a million Ghanaians,” he explains. “Thanks to this new, globally-recognised designation, it is a no-go area for mining and will now most likely be saved from destruction.”
In the future, Caleb plans to come up with priority amphibian conservation sites in Ghana called Important Amphibian Areas (IAAs): “They will be the most diverse sites, which will contribute significantly to the global persistence of amphibians.” Using his influence, he wants to achieve legal recognition of these areas and continue to work with communities to ensure that in addition to wildlife, local people benefit too.