The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has condemned the violent closure of the Bekwai District Office of the Forestry Commission by armed men posing as National Security operatives.
In a Facebook post on Monday, July 28, the Minister described the incident as “brazen and unlawful” and called for swift action against the perpetrators.
“These acts of lawlessness should not be allowed to fester. We must preserve public peace and the credibility of our institutions. This must serve as a strong deterrent to other unscrupulous persons who may harbour similar intentions,” he stated.
According to reports, over fifteen armed men dressed in black stormed the Bekwai Forestry Commission office earlier in the day, locked up the premises, and prevented staff from working. The group claimed they were acting on “orders from above.”
Sources suggest the raid was in retaliation for the Commission’s recent crackdown on illegal mining activities in the Oda River Forest Reserve under the Bekwai jurisdiction.
The National Security Secretariat has since distanced itself from the group, stressing that the operation was unauthorised and that the men were not recognised state operatives.
It has directed the arrest of the suspects and emphasised that such illegal actions will not be tolerated. Police later intervened to reopen the office and escorted the impostors to the Municipal Chief Executive’s office for questioning.
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Read the full statement below:
