A little-known tradition of eating frogs in parts of Ghana’s Volta Region specifically Amedzofe in the past is being challenged by conservation efforts aimed at protecting the Togo Slippery Frog, an amphibian found in Ghana and Togo.
The issue came to light during an interview by vlogger Goshers with a representative of Herp Conservation Ghana, an organisation focused on amphibian and reptile conservation.
According to the conservationist, the Togo Slippery Frog is endemic to Ghana and Togo and is known for its nocturnal behaviour and preference for fast-flowing streams.
He said the species had historically been consumed as a local delicacy by some communities in the Volta Region, with conservationists at one point concerned that the frog could have disappeared from some areas.
“They would tell you how sweet it was. They would tell you how it expands when you put them in your soup,” he said, referring to how local residents described the frog as food.
The conservationist said Herp Conservation Ghana subsequently engaged residents to discourage consumption of the frog and promote its conservation value.
“We told them that, fine, you have this frog over here. The whole world, it can be found only in your community and those around. Why don’t we stop eating them? And we add value to it so that the community will benefit,” he said.
The alternative proposed was nature-based tourism, with the frog becoming part of the attractions that visitors could observe rather than a source of food.
He said communities had begun to see benefits from tourism activities following the conservation intervention.
The Togo Slippery Frog is nocturnal, meaning it is primarily active at night. The conservationist said visitors seeking to observe the species would therefore typically search for it in the evening, around streams where the frogs are found.
He also linked the presence of the frog to the condition of the local streams, saying the species is associated with fast-flowing water and that the streams in the area are clean.
The conservation effort is also connected to the Onepone Forest Adventures, a community-based conservation and tourism initiative created after two communities made forest land available for conservation.
The conservationist said the initiative was intended to promote tourism while creating opportunities for local communities to benefit from the natural resources around them.
The interview highlights the growing effort to place local communities at the centre of amphibian conservation by linking protection of species such as the Togo Slippery Frog with potential tourism and livelihood opportunities.
The conservationist argued that communities could derive greater long-term value from protecting the species and allowing visitors to experience it than from consuming the frogs.
“People can come and watch the apple and pay money. Which one would you prefer?” he said, using the example to explain the proposed shift from consumption to tourism.
The Togo Slippery Frog’s conservation story also illustrates the wider importance of protecting freshwater habitats, particularly streams and forest ecosystems that support amphibian species.
For the communities involved, the approach is to preserve the frog and its habitat while developing tourism activities that can provide an alternative source of income.
The interview was conducted by vlogger Goshers during a visit to the Volta Region.
