Wood sellers at Sokoban Wood Village in the Ashanti Region have announced the cessation of alleged extortion by officials of the Forestry Commission following a series of media protests.
The traders on July 21st, 2025, protested against the alleged extortions while offering their products for sale in Accra.
The Forestry Commission immediately promised to launch investigations into the traders concerns after a meeting with the sellers to find a lasting solution.
They argued Forestry Commission officers had resorted to the collection of GH¢4,000 instead of the approved GH¢1,500.
This, they say, was negatively impacting their business.
But at a press conference in Kumasi on Tuesday, the traders announced the situation has improved.
The traders expressed gratitude to the media and authorities at the Forestry Commission for the swift intervention.
Joseph Aidoo is the spokesperson of the traders, according to him, some members lost their working capital.
“Sokoban Wood Village, the largest wooden market in West Africa, should not be allowed to collapse due to vested interests,” he said.
Meanwhile, the association is promising to help revive businesses of members who lost their working capital to the alleged extortions.
Sokoban Wood Village is the largest wooden market in West Africa.
