The Forestry Commission (FC) has expressed grave concern over the forcible closure of its District Offices at Bekwai, Nkawie and Offinso on Monday, 28th July 2025, by a group of about twenty (20) masked, heavily-armed men who claim to be operatives of the National Security.
The Commission said this is a blatant act of intimidation and interference with Public Service.
“The intruders who fitted their own padlocks on the metal gates of the offices and left with the keys, had no lawful authority to disrupt the work of the Commission and endanger the lives of its staff and clients. Their conduct is an affront to the rule of law and to the constitutional mandate of the Forestry Commission,’ the Commission said in a statement on July 29.
“We note the statement by the Ashanti Regional National Security Coordinator, Captain (Rtd.) Kwame Jabari, in interviews with some media
outlets , dissociating his outfit from the incident and describing the perpetrators as imposters. According to him, they have not sanctioned any operation targeting the Forestry Commission,” the statement signed by the Head of Corporate Affairs and media relations, Joyce Kwarfo, noted.
“The Commission appreciated this clarification and expects full cooperation from all legitimate security agencies to bring the culprits to book. The Commission called on appropriate authorities to:
• Launch a swift and impartial investigation into the unlawful lockdown of some District offices in the Ashanti Region on 28 July 2025,
• Identify, arrest and prosecute all individuals involved in the illegal lock-down, and
• Determine any links between the incident and the recent arrest of illegal miners by FC Rapid Response Teams in the Oda Forest Reserve.
“Given the highly threatened environment in which FC staff work and live in the various districts, the Commission requests the Ghana Police Service to
deploy uniformed officers to safeguard all FC offices and checkpoints in the Ashanti Region with immediate effect. Management has instructed District
Managers to cooperate fully with the Police and to keep detailed incidents log,” the Commission added.
The Forestry Commission also assured their staff that their offices and work environment are safe and they should carry out their duties without
any fear.
“The Forestry Commission remains committed to protecting Ghana’s forest and Wildlife resources and combating illegal mining (galamsey), in support
of Government’s agenda to restore degraded areas. We urge our dedicated staff and all stakeholders to remain calm and vigilant while management
works with the Police and other state security institutions to restore normal operations. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity around
any Forestry Commission office to the nearest police station,” it urged.
By Benjamin Aidoo
