The Forestry Commission of Ghana has sued the founder of the New Force, Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar.
Reports suggest the Forestry Commission has dragged Cheddar to the High Court over the alleged illegal importation of tigers without proper authorisation.
The information gathered suggests the suit was filed on January 26, 2026, by the Ecotourism of the Wildlife Division of the Commission.
The Commission is seeking an order of the High Court to forfeit the two Tigers to the State.
“The Commission said the manner in which the two (2) Tigers were imported into the country breached the export and import permits requirements rules and is in direct violation of the scientific authority advice or management authority approvals as contained in Article III of the CITES convention.
The Applicant (Commission), in its affidavit in support of the action, which is deposed to by Christian Atsu Fumey-Nassah, Director, Stakeholders and Ecotourism of the Wildlife Division (WD) of the Forestry Commission, premised it on the Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023, Act 1115.
The effect is to seek an order to confiscate the two tigers illegally imported into the country.
The Affidavit in support, filed with the consent of the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, stated that, in line with the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission’s mandate of maintaining and conserving wildlife and managing wildlife-protected areas, the Applicant is a signatory to a number of international conventions and other treaties concerning wildlife, particularly endangered species.
The Applicant said these international commitments have been duly incorporated in various domestic Wildlife laws and other policies”, Starr FM reported.
It will be recalled that back in 2022, news broke of Nana Kwame Bediako keeping two tigers in his home in a residential area.
According to the Forestry Commission, after visiting and an investigation being carried out, they uncovered that Nana Kwame Bediako, without lawful authority and in breach of Wildlife laws, brought the two tigers into the country.
Nana Kwame Bediako later responded to the public outcry over his ownership of two tigers and their housing at a private estate.
According to him, he acquired the animals for tourism purposes and not to endanger residents.
The business mogul, in an interview with the media, stated, “First, it is right, I have two tigers that I bought on a bid between Ghana and Dubai. I was the representative from the private sector who initiated my interest in purchasing these two animals. But we did go through the process, the animals are seven months old, still at the very young stage.”
“I went in to buy these animals to add the value of tourism in our country. I wanted to go into the Safari World by making sure that Ghana becomes the first country in the whole of West Africa, East Africa, and Central Africa, except for South Africa, which has these animals.”
“We wanted to be the first that will have it and so, I went in for the male and the female version of it. I have been keeping them for six months now. I brought experts from outside to create a safety cage for these animals, so they don’t become dangerous to the public”.
See the post below:
The Forestry Commission of Ghana is suing Nana Kwame Bediako, popularly known as Cheddar, at the High Court over the alleged illegal importation of tigers without proper authorization.
— 𝕏 Ghana 🇬🇭 (@xghana_) February 20, 2026
The Commission is seeking to recover possession of the two tigers he imported into the… pic.twitter.com/pRsvfwofcf