A Rocha Ghana condemned the attack on personnel of the Forestry Commission
Attack on forestry commission staff threatens rule of law — A Rocha Ghana
A Rocha Ghana, an environmental non-governmental organisation, has condemned the attack on personnel of the Forestry Commission and the destruction of staff accommodation at the Babatokuma timber checkpoint in the Kintampo District of the Bono East Region.
They described the incident as a serious threat to the rule of law and environmental governance.
The organisation said the violent attack, which occurred on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, not only endangered the lives of Forestry Commission officers but also resulted in the destruction of public property, raising concerns about the safety of personnel working to protect the country’s forests and natural resources.
A Rocha Ghana said the incident formed part of a disturbing pattern of attacks, threats and intimidation directed at frontline officers, community monitors and other conservation actors charged with enforcing environmental laws and safeguarding Ghana’s natural heritage.
It cautioned that failure to protect those working on the frontlines of forest conservation could undermine national efforts to combat illegal logging, illegal mining, wildlife crime and other environmental offences that continued to threaten Ghana’s biodiversity and ecological security.
In a statement, A Rocha Ghana said the attack at Babatokuma could easily have resulted in fatalities and should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to take decisive action against individuals who resort to violence against public officers carrying out their lawful duties.
The organisation said the Forestry Commission personnel often operated under difficult and dangerous conditions, particularly in areas where illegal exploitation of natural resources remained prevalent.
It said the increasing frequency of attacks against such personnel was a matter of national concern that required urgent attention from the government and law enforcement agencies.
A Rocha Ghana stressed that attacks on Forestry Commission personnel not only affected the individuals involved but also undermined broader national efforts to preserve forests, protect wildlife and secure environmental resources for future generations.
Call for action
The organisation called on the Ghana Police Service and all relevant law enforcement agencies to undertake a swift, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the incident and ensure that all persons found responsible were prosecuted in accordance with the laws of Ghana.
It further urged the government and relevant state institutions to immediately strengthen security arrangements for staff of the commission and other personnel engaged in environmental protection, particularly in high-risk operational areas where confrontations with offenders were more likely to occur.
