How angry mob vandalised Forestry Commission timber checkpoint housing structure at Babatokuma in Kintampo
The Forestry Commission has condemned the destruction of a newly constructed accommodation facility for timber checkpoint personnel at Babatokuma in the Kintampo Forest District of the Bono Region.
In a statement issued on June 10, 2026, by its Corporate Affairs Directorate, the Commission disclosed that an angry mob attacked and vandalised the facility on Tuesday, June 9.
According to the Commission, the accommodation had been established to support field officers deployed to strengthen monitoring of the overland transportation of timber products, as part of efforts to curb the illegal movement of timber and timber products to neighbouring countries.
The statement said preliminary information indicated that the attackers accused the Forestry Commission personnel of threatening their timber business interests in the area.
"Information available indicates that the mob attacked and assaulted personnel on duty, claiming that their operations posed a threat to their timber business interests in the area.
"In the process, they forcibly entered the facility, vandalised and burnt down the structure," the statement said.
The Commission disclosed that the affected personnel sustained injuries and were subsequently taken to the Kintampo Government Hospital for treatment.
It added that the incident had 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 identify and arrest those responsible for the attack.
According to the statement, some of the perpetrators were captured on video, which is expected to aid investigations and possible prosecutions.
"This attack is not only an assault on the Forestry Commission but also an affront to State authority and a direct attempt to undermine efforts to safeguard the forest resources of the nation," the Commission stressed.
The Commission further expressed concern over what it described as a growing culture of impunity, noting that similar attacks on its personnel and facilities have occurred in the past.
It warned that the increasing disregard for forestry laws and regulations poses a serious threat to the country's natural resources.
"We wish to underscore the fact that the increasing disregard for forest laws and regulations has dire consequences for our nation if left unchecked. Ghana risks losing its forest resources, with its attendant negative ecological and socio-economic consequences," the statement added.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to protecting Ghana's forests and called on the public to support efforts aimed at preserving the country's natural resources for future generations.