Environmental advocacy organisation A Rocha Ghana has strongly condemned the recent attack on personnel of the Forestry Commission and the destruction of state property at Babatokuma in the Kintampo District of the Bono East Region.
The incident, which occurred on June 9, 2026, reportedly involved an attack on Forestry Commission staff and the destruction of accommodation facilities used by personnel stationed at a timber checkpoint in the area.
In a statement issued on June 12, A Rocha Ghana described the attack as a serious threat to the safety of officers tasked with protecting the country’s forests and natural resources, warning that the violence could easily have resulted in fatalities.
“The attack could easily have led to the loss of lives,” the organisation stated, adding that such acts undermine the rule of law and national efforts to safeguard the environment.
A Rocha Ghana noted that the incident is not an isolated case but forms part of a broader pattern of attacks, threats and intimidation directed at Forestry Commission personnel, community monitors and other frontline conservation actors across the country.
According to the organisation, many environmental protection officers continue to operate under difficult and high-risk conditions, yet often face violence while carrying out their lawful duties. It expressed concern that several previous attacks have not resulted in visible accountability, raising fears of growing impunity.
“The recurrence of these incidents demands urgent national attention,” the statement said, warning that failure to punish perpetrators weakens the enforcement of environmental laws and erodes public confidence in the justice system.
A Rocha Ghana stressed that protecting frontline personnel is critical to Ghana’s efforts to combat illegal logging, illegal mining, wildlife crime and other environmental offences that threaten the country’s biodiversity and ecological security.
The organisation called on the Ghana Police Service and other law enforcement agencies to conduct a swift, independent and impartial investigation into the incident and ensure the prosecution of all persons found culpable.
It also urged the government to strengthen security measures for Forestry Commission staff and other environmental law enforcement officers, particularly in high-risk operational areas.
Other recommendations included greater transparency in the handling of such cases, regular public updates on investigations and prosecutions, and stronger collaboration among state agencies to tackle environmental crimes.
A Rocha Ghana further called on government institutions, traditional authorities, civil society organisations and local communities to work together through lawful and peaceful means to protect the country’s natural resources.
“The protection of Ghana’s forests depends not only on sound policies but also on the courage and safety of the people entrusted with enforcing them,” the statement noted.
The organisation concluded by urging all Ghanaians to reject violence, uphold the rule of law and support efforts to protect the country’s forests and natural heritage for future generations.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
