Forestry Commission condemns mob attack on timber checkpoint near Kintampo

The Forestry Commission (FC) has issued a strong condemnation regarding the assault and destruction of a newly built accommodation facility intended for timber checkpoint personnel at Babatokuma, located in the Kintampo Forest District of the Bono East Region.

As per a statement released by the Commission on Wednesday, June 10, the incident took place on Tuesday, June 9, around 3:30 p.m., when an enraged mob reportedly attacked forestry officers and set the facility on fire.

The Commission indicated that the accommodation was created to house personnel assigned to enhance the monitoring of the overland transport of timber products and to assist in preventing the illegal movement of timber and timber products to neighbouring countries.

Initial reports suggest that the assailants accused the forestry personnel of jeopardising their timber business interests in the region.

“The mob assaulted and attacked the personnel on duty, forcibly entered the facility, vandalised, and ultimately destroyed the structure,” the statement noted.

The injured personnel were later taken to the Kintampo Government Hospital for medical care.

The Forestry Commission has reported the incident to the Kintampo Divisional Police Command, and investigations are currently in progress.

It further stated that it is working in conjunction with the Police and other security agencies to identify and apprehend the offenders, some of whom were recorded on video during the assault.

Characterising the incident as an attack on state authority, the Commission cautioned that such actions jeopardise efforts to protect the nation’s forest resources and combat illegal logging activities.

“This attack is not merely an assault on the Forestry Commission but also a direct affront to State authority and an explicit attempt to undermine efforts to protect the forest resources of the country,” the statement highlighted.

The Commission also expressed alarm over what it termed a rising trend of impunity, referencing previous incidents involving assaults on its personnel and offices.

Moreover, the Commission 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.

Meanwhile, investigations are ongoing on the issue.