IN the Ahafo region of Ghana, owls play a crucial role in maintaining the natural balance of the forests by controlling rodents. However, the deep-rooted superstitions surrounding these nighttime predators have led to their persecution and destruction in many areas of the country.
Kwabena Poku Bosompim, the regional director of the Forestry Commission in the Ahafo region, is on a mission to save Ghana’s owls from extinction. Witnessing a shocking incident where a church killed and dismembered an owl due to superstitious beliefs, Bosompim was motivated to take action to protect these majestic birds.
‘Their survival is being threatened because of superstition,’ Bosompim told Radio France Internationale (RFI) , highlighting the misconception that owls are associated with witchcraft due to their nocturnal nature. As a result, various owl species are on the brink of extinction in Ghana.
Ghana boasts a diverse owl population, including 17 identified species such as the barn owl, African scops owl, pearl-spotted owlet, African wood owl, and greyish eagle-owl. Bosompim is determined to change the negative perceptions about owls and raise awareness about their ecological significance in the country’s ecosystems.
To achieve this, Bosompim travels deep into the forests, producing educational videos that he shares on his YouTube channel, Bosompixel. Through these videos, he aims to foster a deeper understanding of the vital role owls play in hunting and controlling mice and rodents that damage the forest ecosystem.
‘I love owls, and I am creating that awareness and sensitisation for the protection of owls in Ghana,’ Bosompim asserted. ‘I also realised there is a misconception about owls often rooted in superstition.’
His efforts are already making an impact. Lydia Basiebon, a resident of the Ahafo region, once held negative beliefs about owls due to superstition. However, after being educated by Bosompim about the significance of owls in the ecosystem, she experienced a drastic change in her attitude.
‘Since I was taught about owls and their importance from Bosompim, my attitude towards owls has changed drastically,’ Lydia shared. ‘I believe if more is done to educate Ghanaians, they will also change their minds.’
Bosompim’s mission to save Ghana’s owls extends beyond dispelling superstitions; he also calls for an end to deforestation, which threatens the owls’ natural habitat. Through education and awareness, he hopes to build a brighter future for these magnificent birds and preserve the delicate ecological balance of Ghana’s forests.