News
Forestry Commission condemns mob attack on its timber checkpoint facility
The Forestry Commission (FC) has condemned the vandalisation and destruction of its newly constructed accommodation facility for timber checkpoint personnel at Babatokuma in the Kintampo Forest District.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at about 3:30 p.m., when an irate mob allegedly attacked the facility, vandalised the structure and subsequently set it ablaze.
A statement issued by the Commission in Accra yesterday and copied to the Ghanaian Times said the facility had been established to accommodate personnel deployed to strengthen the monitoring of the overland movement of timber products and curb the illegal transportation of timber and timber products to neighbouring countries.
According to the statement, the attack was aimed at disrupting efforts by the Commission to enforce forestry regulations and protect the country’s forest resources.
“The Forestry Commission strongly condemns such acts of lawlessness, particularly attacks on its personnel and the destruction of State property. We call on all well-meaning Ghanaians, the security agencies, traditional authorities, the media, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support efforts to address the growing impunity in the forestry sector,” the statement said.
The Commission described the attack as not only an assault on its personnel and property but also an affront to State authority and a direct attempt to undermine efforts to safeguard Ghana’s forest resources.
It further expressed concern about what it described as a worrying trend of increasing disregard for forest laws and regulations.
“This incident brings to the fore a disturbing pattern of impunity among sections of the public. Similar attacks on Forestry Commission personnel and offices have occurred in the past.
The increasing disregard for forest laws and regulations poses a serious threat to the nation’s forest resources and could have far-reaching ecological and socio-economic consequences if left unchecked,” the statement noted.
The Commission said preliminary information indicated that the attackers claimed the operations of the timber checkpoint posed a threat to their timber business interests in the area.
It said the mob assaulted personnel on duty before forcibly entering the facility, vandalising equipment and setting the newly constructed accommodation block on fire.
The affected officers sustained various degrees of injuries and were subsequently transported to the Kintampo Government Hospital, where they received medical attention.
The incident has since been reported to the Kintampo Divisional Police Command for investigation.
The Forestry Commission said it was working closely with the Police and other security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators, some of whom were captured on video footage, were identified, arrested and prosecuted.
“The Forestry Commission wishes to assure the general public that it remains committed to protecting, developing and sustainably managing the forest and wildlife resources of this country for the benefit of present and future generations,” the statement emphasised.
The Commission reiterated its determination to continue enforcing forestry laws despite the challenges and called for greater public support in combating illegal activities that threaten the nation’s forests and wildlife resources.
By Kingsley Asare
Burnt Office Photo Caption: The burnt accommodation facility for timber checkpoint personnel at Babatokuma in the Kintampo Forest District.
The Ghana High Commission in Abuja, Nigeria, is appealing to the public to help trace the relatives or next of kin of Apia Solomon, a Ghanaian national believed to be from Osu, Accra.
According to a public announcement by the High Commission, Mr. Solomon, born on March 6, 1960, in Accra, died on July 5, 2021, from cardiopulmonary failure.
He worked as a temporary civilian staff member at the National Defence College in Nigeria. His remains are currently being kept at the Nigerian Air Force Hospital morgue in Abuja, pending burial arrangements.
The High Commission says efforts to locate his relatives have so far been unsuccessful and is urging anyone with information about his family, friends or next of kin to come forward.
Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact the Ghana High Commission in Abuja.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Security consultant Richard Kumadoe has blamed what he describes as flawed recruitment and incomplete background checks for some of the problems facing the Bureau of National Intelligence (BNI).
He has called on the leadership of the BNI to review the backgrounds of officers recruited during specific periods, particularly those who entered the agency under recent recruitment processes.
Speaking on the issue on TV3 yesterday, Mr Kumadoe alleged that some individuals were recruited into the intelligence agency without proper background checks and completed vetting.
“Certain categories of persons were dumped into the BNI, whose backgrounds were not checked, and whose vettings were not completed,” he stated.
He said some of the officers linked to the concerns appeared to have been recruited within the same period, making it necessary for the agency to examine the recruitment records and backgrounds of those who joined during that time.
Mr Kumadoe argued that the problems could be addressed by ensuring that recruitment procedures were properly followed and that all applicants underwent the required checks before being employed.
According to him, when the selection process is flawed, it can lead to problems within the institution.
He blamed the politicisation of security institutions, arguing that appointing people without the necessary intelligence experience and allowing political interests to influence recruitment could undermine their operations.
“When you have a selection procedure that was flawed because you politicised the place, brought in people to come and head the place when they have no business being there, they don’t know anything about being a BNI officer, they are not intelligence officers, and you flood the place with politicians and political artists, then you circumvent the standard procedure and you are going to have some of these problems,” he said.
Mr Kumadoe, however, defended the current leadership of the BNI, arguing that efforts to address longstanding problems within security institutions could bring such issues to light.
He said the leadership should be assessed in the context of the steps it is taking to improve the agency’s operations and uphold professional standards.
Drawing on his own experience in the intelligence field, he said the opportunity to serve under experienced officers had helped him develop the skills and integrity needed to contribute to national security.
By: Jacob Aggrey
