Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Honourable Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has condemned the unlawful closure of the three Bekwai District Offices of the Forestry Commission.

On Monday, July 28, some unidentified persons alleged to be National Security operatives in the Ashanti Region closed the offices.

In reaction to the incident, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources called on all relevant law enforcement agencies to swiftly apprehend and prosecute all those involved in the illegality.

“As Sector Minister, I am deeply appalled by this incident and strongly condemn the invasion in no uncertain terms. Indeed, such acts of lawlessness undermine the rule of law, threaten public peace and tarnish the integrity of institutions like the National Security — and must not be allowed to fester,” Honourable Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah wrote in a Facebook post.

The prosecution of the culprits, according to the Lands and Natural Resources Minister will “serve as a strong deterrent to other unscrupulous persons who may harbour similar intentions.”

It is reported that more than fifteen armed men, who came to the Bekwai office in a pick-up vehicle and a Land Cruiser, were responsible for preventing the staff of the Forestry Commission from carrying out their tasks. According to reports, the group that wielded pump-action guns and other weapons threatened the lives of security personnel on-site. They then sent the staff members packing and locked the offices with padlocks.

It is believed that the recent attack is as a result of the wanton arrests and impounding of equipment belonging to suspected illegal miners operating in the Oda River Forest Reserve. Apparently, the group had earlier issued threats. “It is unknown whether their action is linked to the arrest of some illegal miners last week,” the Forestry Commission wrote in a Facebook post.

Other sources say that the group demanded employment opportunities and expressed their displeasure over challenges with timber transportation and other unspecified illegal activities within the sector.

According to sources, the National Security has distanced itself from the group, stating that it does not give recognition to the group.

Meanwhile, the offices have been opened after the swift intervention of the Ghana Police Service. Among those that have condemned the closure of the offices is the Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF), who believe the incident is a threat to institutional independence and an attack on state authority.

“The manner of the invasions-armed operatives barging into peaceful offices, locking out staff, seizing equipment, and issuing verbal threats is nothing short of barbaric. It is an insult to the public service, a disgrace to Ghana's democratic credentials, and an affront to institutional professionalism.”

“The Forestry Commission is not a political appendage or a sub-unit of any security service. No security agency, no matter how powerful, has the right to unilaterally invade the Commission’s offices without due legal procedure,” a statement issued by the Ghana Institute of Foresters read.

The Ghana Institute of Foresters asserts that if not checked, such lawless acts could exacerbate and foster more abuses under the guise of national security.

“These troubling developments must not be normalized. There is the danger that should some foreign operatives invade our offices under the guise of 'National Security', officials will tamely submit because this is what National Security is perceived to do. The Ghana Institute of Foresters categorically condemns these lawless acts and views them as a calculated attempt to intimidate and destabilize the lawful operations of the Forestry Commission,” the statement added.

In reaction to the remarks made by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the Ghana Institute of Foresters entreated Honourable Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah to back his words with acts and ensure the perpetrators are made to face the full rigour of the law.

“The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources is to, beyond the public statement, follow up to ensure that investigations are completed and perpetrators dealt with, to restore confidence in our forestry officers that they can discharge their lawful duties without fear or favour,” the statement read.

The Ghana Institute of Foresters seeks to find out who empowered these individuals with arms and vehicles for these unauthorized operations and what will be done to these individuals who have been captured on videos and photos undertaking these illegal operations.

Similar incidents took place in Tepa and Goaso, where seized truckloads of illegal lumber were forcefully taken away from the premises of the Forestry Commission at night by armed men.

Such actions disrupt office work and intimidate staff members, and leave sensitive records, files, and equipment in the hands of individuals who have ill intentions.

The Forestry Commission is a statutory body established by Act 571 (1999), with a clear legal mandate to regulate, conserve and manage the country's forest and wildlife resources. The Commission's duties include the regulation of entry, control of land use activities in forest reserves, and supervision of forest operations in accordance with both national laws and international agreements.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF) on Tuesday, July 29, held a ceremony to officially inaugurate a state-of-the-art office complex at the Greater Accra Regional Office premises at Achimota.

The official opening and handing over of the edifice, was led by Ms. Emelia Djanie, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and contractor of Uncontained Spaces.

President of the Ghana Institute of Foresters, Dr. Abukari N. Attah Esq. said over the years, the Institute has never had an office where they carry out their daily operations. This edifice will therefore go a long way to make their operations easier and faster.

Dr. Abukari Nantogmah Attah stated that, “This is not an office, but a symbol of commitment to professionalism, progress and the long-term health of our forest ecosystems. It marks a significant milestone in our journey to elevate the work of forestry professionals and strengthen our institutional capacity”.

He further stated that, “With this new office, the Institute is better equipped to support the Forestry Commission and all stakeholders in delivering on their collective mandate. From hosting advanced training for forest managers to coordinating research, policy advocacy, and forest restoration projects, this facility will serve as a hub for innovation and collaboration.”

He reiterated that the office will help streamline its operations, improve data management and enable stronger partnerships with government, civil society, academia and the private sector. “This is more than a building; it is an investment in the future of our forest, our people, and our planet,” he added.