Afua Poma, known in the turtle poaching world as ‘Maame Turtle’, has been picked up by the Ghana Police Service for her participation in the illegal poaching and sale of endangered sea turtles.
Maame Turtle after her arrest vehemently pleaded with the police, promising to end the illegal trade. “I am sorry about this action. Please forgive me. I will not practice this illegal trade again,” she said.
The Police however failed to arrest her partner, Kweku Essien who still remains at large.
Her arrest comes after an expose on the illegal poaching and sale of sea turtle based in Nyanyano. The investigation was carried out by Pulitzer ORN Fellow Gideon Sarpong and his team.
The work of the Ghana Police was made much easier as at the time of her arrest, Maame Turtle had in her possession three (3) turtles.
The Ghana Police after gathering the evidence required to prosecute Maame Turtle released the turtles back into the sea.
Poma’s arrest marks a significant step in the fight against illegal sea turtle poaching in Ghana, but her partner, Kweku Essien, remains at large. The authorities are continuing their search for
The police have formally charged Afua Poma with illegal possession and trade of protected species under Ghana’s Wildlife Resources Management Act 115, 2023, and she will be arraigned according to the head of the crime unit, ASP Francis Kumi.
