The Forestry Commission has strongly condemned a violent attack on its personnel and the destruction of a newly constructed accommodation facility at a timber checkpoint in Babatokuma near Kintampo in the Bono East Region.
According to the Commission, the incident occurred on Tuesday, June 9, at about 3:30 p.m., when an irate mob stormed the facility, assaulted officers on duty, vandalised the structure and set it on fire.
The accommodation block was built to house personnel deployed to strengthen monitoring of timber transportation and curb the illegal movement of timber and timber products to neighbouring countries.
Reports indicate that the attackers claimed the checkpoint operations were affecting their timber business interests in the area.
Officers who sustained injuries during the assault were rushed to the Kintampo Government Hospital for treatment. The incident has been formally reported to the Kintampo Divisional Police Command.
The Forestry Commission said it is collaborating with the Police and other security agencies to identify and arrest the perpetrators, some of whom were captured on video during the attack.
The Commission described the incident as “an affront to State authority” and warned that such acts undermine national efforts to protect Ghana’s forest resources. It expressed worry over the growing culture of impunity, noting that similar attacks on its personnel and facilities have occurred in the past.
The Commission cautioned that continued disregard for forest laws and regulations could lead to serious ecological and socio-economic consequences for the country.
It has therefore called on security agencies, traditional authorities, civil society groups, the media and the general public to support efforts to combat illegal activities in the forestry sector.
The Forestry Commission reiterated its commitment to protecting, developing and sustainably managing Ghana’s forest and wildlife resources for present and future generations.