The Forestry Commission (FC) has strongly condemned the attack and destruction of a newly constructed accommodation facility for timber checkpoint personnel at Babatokuma in the Kintampo Forest District of the Bono East Region.
According to a statement issued by the Commission on Wednesday, June 10, the incident occurred on Tuesday, June 9, at about 3:30 p.m., when an irate mob allegedly assaulted forestry officers and set the facility ablaze.
The Commission said the accommodation was established to house personnel deployed to strengthen monitoring of the overland movement of timber products and help curb the illegal transportation of timber and timber products to neighbouring countries.
Preliminary information indicates that the attackers accused the forestry personnel of threatening their timber business interests in the area.
“The mob attacked and assaulted personnel on duty, forcibly entered the facility, vandalised and burnt down the structure,” the statement stated.
The injured personnel were subsequently transported to the Kintampo Government Hospital for medical treatment.
The Forestry Commission noted that the incident has been reported to the Kintampo Divisional Police Command, and investigations are underway.
It added that it is collaborating with the Police and other security agencies to identify and apprehend the perpetrators, some of whom were captured in video recordings during the attack.
Describing the incident as an attack on state authority, the Commission warned that such actions undermine efforts to protect the country’s forest resources and combat illegal logging activities.
“This attack is not only an assault on the Forestry Commission but also an affront to State authority and a direct attempt to undermine efforts to safeguard the forest resources of the nation,” the statement emphasised.
The Commission further expressed concern over what it described as a growing trend of impunity, citing previous incidents involving attacks on its personnel and offices.
It warned that continued disregard for forestry laws and regulations could have severe ecological and socio-economic consequences for the country, including the depletion of Ghana’s forest resources.
The Forestry Commission, therefore, called on security agencies, traditional authorities, civil society organisations, the media and the general public to support efforts to address illegality and lawlessness within the forestry sector.
Despite the attack, the Commission assured the public of its commitment to protecting, developing and sustainably managing Ghana’s forest and wildlife resources for both present and future generations.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
