Forestry Commission condemns attack on timber checkpoint staff

The Forestry Commission of Ghana has strongly condemned the recent attack on its timber checkpoint personnel at Babatokuma in the Kintampo Forest District.

The Commission has confirmed that on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at approximately 3:30 p.m the newly constructed accommodation for timber checkpoint personnel at Babatokuma in the Kintampo Forest District was vandalized and burnt by an irate mob.

The Forestry Commission personnel had been stationed at the facility to strengthen the monitoring of the overland movement of timber products, thereby helping curb the illegal transportation of timber and timber products into neighbouring countries.

Information available indicates that, the mob attacked and assaulted personnel on duty, claiming that their operations posed a threat to their timber business interest in the area. In the process, they forcibly entered the facility, vandalised and burnt down the structure.

The affected personnel were taken to the Kintampo Government Hospital for medical care, and the incident has been reported to the Kintampo Divisional Police Command.

The Forestry Commission is collaborating with the Police and other relevant security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators who have been captured on video are duly identified, arrested, and made to face the full rigours of the law.

The Forestry Commission has issued a strong condemnation of the recent attack on its personnel, deeming it a blatant attack on state authority and a deliberate attempt to undermine efforts to safeguard the nation's forest resources.

This incident brings to the forefront a disturbing trend of impunity among certain segments of the public, particularly in light of previous instances of brutal attacks on Forestry Commission personnel and offices.

The Commission emphasizes that the escalating disregard for forest laws and regulations has severe repercussions for the nation if left unchecked.

The Forestry Commission calls upon all law-abiding Ghanaians, security agencies, traditional authorities, the media, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to support its efforts to address the growing impunity in the sector.

The Commission assures the public that it will continue to work tirelessly to protect, develop, and sustainably manage the nation's forest and wildlife resources for the benefit of current and future generations.