Forestry Commission has denounced the illegal shutdown of three of its district offices in the Ashanti Region by a group of unidentified armed men claiming to be affiliated with National Security, calling the act a serious breach of public administration and the rule of law.
On Monday, July 28, approximately 20 masked individuals forcibly closed the Commission’s offices in Bekwai, Nkawie, and Offinso. The intruders reportedly padlocked the entrances with their own locks and left with the keys, offering no legal justification for their actions.
In a strongly worded statement, the Forestry Commission described the incident as a “blatant act of intimidation” and called for an urgent, independent investigation into the motive and identity of the perpetrators. The Commission also suggested the attack may be linked to recent operations against illegal mining in the Oda Forest Reserve, where FC personnel have made several arrests.
Ashanti Regional National Security Coordinator Capt. (Rtd.) Kwame Jabari publicly disassociated his office from the action, stating in media interviews that the operatives were impostors and acted without official sanction.
The Forestry Commission has appealed to the Ghana Police Service to deploy uniformed officers to safeguard its facilities and checkpoints across the region, emphasizing the need to protect its personnel and preserve critical forest management infrastructure.
“Our staff must be able to carry out their duties without fear or interference,” the Commission stated. It reaffirmed its commitment to curbing illegal mining and safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources, urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity near its offices.
The incident has raised broader concerns about the misuse of state security credentials and the growing threats faced by public officials engaged in environmental enforcement in resource-rich regions.
