The Forestry Commission has strongly condemned the forceful closure of its district offices in Bekwai, Nkawie, and Offinso in the Ashanti Region by a group of masked and heavily armed men posing as National Security operatives.
The incident occurred on Monday, July 28, when about 20 armed individuals stormed the offices, locked them with their own padlocks, and took away the keys. The Commission described the act as a “blatant act of intimidation” and a direct attack on its constitutional mandate.
In a statement, the Commission cited remarks from the Ashanti Regional National Security Coordinator, Capt. (Rtd.) Kwame Jabari, who disassociated his office from the attack and identified the perpetrators as impostors.
The Commission has called on law enforcement agencies to launch a swift and impartial investigation, apprehend the perpetrators, and determine whether the attack is linked to recent arrests of illegal miners in the Oda Forest Reserve.
It also appealed to the Ghana Police Service to deploy personnel to protect its offices and checkpoints across the Ashanti Region. The Commission assured its staff of their safety and encouraged them to continue their duties without fear.
Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s forests and combating illegal mining, the Commission urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity around its facilities.
Read the full statement below:
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