Armed Men Storm Ashanti Forestry Commission Offices, National Security Named: "Orders From Above"
- Men believed to be National Security operatives stormed the offices of the Forestry Commission in the Ashanti Region
- The close to 15 armed men who stormed the building said they were operating with orders from above
- Forestry Commission officers have been under scrutiny in recent times because of their role in the fight against illegal mining
Over 15 fully armed men, believed to be National Security operatives, stormed the offices of the Forestry Commission in the Ashanti Region on July 28.
Joy News reported that the men disrupted official duties for the day, leaving staff bewildered.
Source: Facebook
Adom News reported that the men said they were operating with orders from above to close the offices.
Joy News reported further that sources within the commission said staff have been under significant pressure and even direct threats for their active role in arresting illegal miners within the vital Oda River Forest Reserve.
The Oda River Forest Reserve, located primarily in the Ashanti Region, is a critical ecological zone, serving as a watershed for the Oda River, a major water source for many communities, including the Obuasi Municipality.
For years, this reserve, like many others across Ghana, has been a hotspot for illegal small-scale mining.
Forestry Commission personnel, alongside the Rapid Response Units (RRUs) of the Forest Services Division, are at the forefront of efforts to combat galamsey.
Their work often involves dangerous confrontations with armed illegal miners.
Reports from late 2024 and early 2025 have detailed instances where Forestry Commission officers sustained gunshot and machete wounds during anti-galamsey raids, particularly in forest reserves like Offin Shelterbelt and Obosomkese.
Western Region Forestry Commission appeals for weapons
As this happens, the Western Region Forestry Commission wants better arms to enable it to combat illegal mining, popularly known as Galamsey.
Nana Poku Bosompim, the agency's Western Regional Manager, told YEN.com.gh in an interview that illegal miners now wield sophisticated weapons, making it necessary to change tactics if the war against Galamsey is going to be won.
"The forest guards who are to protect the forest are patrolling with their bare hands, while the perpetrators of these illegalities are armed with sophisticated weapons. We have seen AK47, Pump action guns, the one with the double magazine is far better than the one my rapid team is using. The one that has no weapon is using a locally manufactured weapon."
This came as poor communities continue to bear the brunt of illegal mining activities.
Illegal mining, also known as galamsey, has led to widespread deforestation and pollution of rivers.
Source: Getty Images
Chairman of Small Scale Miners Association arrested
YEN.com.gh reported that earlier in July, the chairman of the Small Scale Miners Association, Kojo Peprah, was arrested by the Inspector-General of Police’s special task force on illegal mining and later released.
Peprah was reportedly apprehended on Thursday, July 10, 2025, for allegedly attempting to interfere with the arrest of illegal miners in the Desiri Forest Reserve, Ashanti Region.
Peprah confronted the special police task force deployed to the Desiri Forest Reserve, demanding an explanation for their presence in the area.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
