More than 15 fully armed men, believed to be operatives from National Security, stormed and shut down the Forestry Commission’s regional offices in the Ashanti Region.
The abrupt operation disrupted normal administrative activities, leaving staff stunned and confused.
Eyewitnesses and officials on-site reported that the operatives arrived without prior notice and claimed they were acting on “orders from above” to close the offices and seize the keys. No official reason has yet been given, prompting widespread speculation.
This incident unfolds against a backdrop of rising threats to Forestry Commission personnel, particularly those involved in crackdowns on illegal mining activities commonly known as galamsey in the Oda River Forest Reserve.
Sources within the Commission, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that staff have come under growing pressure and received direct threats for their role in arresting illegal miners operating in the reserve. The Oda River Forest Reserve, a crucial ecological zone, serves as a major watershed for the Oda River but has suffered extensive environmental degradation due to illegal mining ranging from deforestation to water contamination.
Forestry Commission staff and Rapid Response Units have been at the forefront of anti-galamsey efforts, frequently encountering armed resistance from illegal miners. Previous reports from late 2024 and early 2025 detailed injuries sustained by officers during similar operations in forest reserves such as the Offin Shelterbelt and Obosomkese.
