Accra: The Forestry Commission has condemned an attack on its staff at the timber checkpoint accommodation in Babatokuma, near Kintampo, in the Bono East Region. The Commission described the attack as not only an assault on its employees but also an affront to state authority and an attempt to undermine efforts to safeguard the nation's forest resources.
According to Ghana News Agency, the statement was issued by the Public Relations Unit of the Commission and highlighted the gravity of the incident. The Commission is working closely with the Police and other relevant security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators, who have been captured on video, are identified, arrested, and brought to justice.
This incident highlights a disturbing trend of impunity among certain sections of the public, with previous instances of similar attacks on the Commission's personnel and offices. The statement further emphasized the increasing disregard for forest laws and regulations, warning that this could have dire ecological and socio-economic consequences if not addressed.
The Commission confirmed that on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at approximately 1530 hours, the newly constructed accommodation for timber checkpoint personnel was vandalized and set on fire by an irate mob. The personnel stationed at the facility were there to enhance the monitoring of timber product movements, thereby aiding efforts to curb the illegal transportation of timber into neighboring countries.
The affected staff members were taken to Kintampo Government Hospital for medical attention, and the incident has been reported to the Kintampo Divisional Police Command.