The Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF) has condemned the violent and unlawful attack perpetrated against officers of the Forestry Commission stationed at the Babatokuma checkpoint in the Bono East Region on Tuesday, 9 June 2026.
According to information available to the Institute, a group of irate youth attacked staff of the Forestry Commission who were lawfully carrying out their statutory duties.
The incident resulted in injuries to Forestry Commission staff and the destruction of government property and equipment assigned to the checkpoint.
The Ghana Institute of Foresters views this act as barbaric, reckless, and a direct assault on the rule of law, public institutions, and the sustainable management of Ghana’s forest resources.
In a statement signed by the President of the GIF, Dr Abukari Nantogmah Attah (Esq) on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, he said the Institute has taken note of a viral video circulating on social media in which an individual believed to be the leader of the group alleged that the checkpoint operations were adversely affecting their timber business, causing delays in transportation and leading to alleged extortion by Forestry Commission officials.
“While the Ghana Institute of Foresters acknowledged the right of citizens and businesses to seek redress regarding perceived grievances, such concerns must be pursued through lawful and established channels. Under no circumstance can allegations, whether substantiated or otherwise, justify violence, assault, destruction of public property, and obstruction of public officers in the discharge of their lawful duties,” The GIF stated.
It added that, “If indeed there are genuine concerns regarding the operations of the checkpoint, the appropriate course of action would be to engage the Management of the Forestry Commission, petition the Chief Executive, seek administrative review, or invoke other lawful dispute-resolution mechanisms available under Ghanaian law.”
The Institute commended the prompt intervention of the Ghana Police Service and expressed confidence that a thorough investigation will be conducted. Given the availability of video evidence circulating widely on social media, GIF expects that all individuals involved will be identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of Ghana.
“This is necessary not only to secure justice for the victims but also to serve as a deterrent against similar acts of lawlessness in the future,” it said.
The Institute noted that such attacks on Forestry personnel are not of recent occurrence. Similar attacks and acts of intimidation have happened in the past at Mankranso, Tepa, Nkawie, Bekwai, and other parts of the country.
Dr Abukari said recurrence of such incidents points to an emerging culture of impunity that threatens the effective enforcement of forestry laws and regulations.
“The apparent lack of decisive actions to curb this trend posses a threat to national security and weakens Ghana’s forest governance framework, and undermine the country’s international commitments on sustainable forest management, legality assurance, and responsible timber trade.
The continued harassment of forestry officials could also jeopardize Ghana’s reputation in international timber markets, including access to the European market under legality verification and sustainable sourcing requirements, with significant economic consequences for the forestry sector and the nation as a whole,”the GIF warned
The Ghana Institute of Foresters urged all Forestry Commission staff across the country to remain professional, steadfast, and committed to their constitutional and statutory responsibilities.
“The Institute stands firmly with the Forestry Commission in the discharge of this important national mandate. The Ghana Institute of Foresters extends its deepest sympathies to the officers who sustained injuries during the attack and wishes them a speedy and full recovery,” The Institute stated.
The Institute assured the affected personnel of its unwavering support and stands ready to support all lawful measures aimed at protecting forestry officers and safeguarding Ghana’s forest resources.
The Institute further called upon traditional authorities, political leaders, civil society organizations, industry players, and the general public to condemn such uncivil acts by hooligans and join efforts to promote respect for the rule of law and the protection of public institutions entrusted with managing the nation’s natural resources.
By Benjamin Aidoo
