The Ghana Police Service at Tepa in the Ahafo Ano South East District has arrested two suspects in connection with the shooting of a forest guard and the destruction of a newly established forest plantation at Abesewa in the Ashanti Region.
The Bosomproso local chief, Nana Yaw Gyamfi, confirmed the arrests to Adom News reporter Kwadwo Obeng Mireku, stating that the suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue.
He added that security agencies are working to arrest other individuals suspected to have been involved in the attack.
The incident occurred when suspected illegal loggers allegedly attempted to enter the plantation to cut down trees unlawfully but were confronted by forest guards assigned to protect the area.
The confrontation reportedly escalated into violence, leading to one of the forest guards being shot. The victim sustained critical injuries and is currently receiving medical attention at a health facility.
Nana Yaw Gyamfi said formal statements have been submitted to the police and expressed confidence that the suspects would soon be put before court to face the necessary charges.
He also appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister for the Interior to consider redeploying military personnel to support efforts to protect Ghana’s forest reserves from illegal logging activities.
According to him, the withdrawal of military personnel from forest protection duties has contributed to a resurgence of illegal logging, affecting efforts to preserve forest cover and implement government initiatives such as the Green Ghana Programme.
“When soldiers were guarding our forests, illegal logging was under control. Since they were withdrawn, our forests have come under constant attack, making our efforts to restore the country’s forest cover almost futile,” Nana Yaw Gyamfi stated.
The two suspects remain in police custody assisting with investigations and are expected to face prosecution once police inquiries are concluded.
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