A Rocha Ghana Condemns Attack on Forestry Commission Staff, Calls for Action Against Perpetrators

Environmental advocacy organisation A Rocha Ghana has condemned the recent attack on personnel of the Forestry Commission and the destruction of state property at Babatokuma in the Kintampo District of the Bono East Region.

The organisation described the incident as a serious threat to the safety of frontline environmental officers and a setback to Ghana’s efforts to protect its forests and natural resources.

The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, targeted staff of the Forestry Commission stationed at the timber checkpoint in Babatokuma, where the accommodation facility for personnel was also reportedly destroyed.

In a statement signed by A Rocha Ghana, the organisation said the incident endangered lives and could have resulted in fatalities, stressing that such acts of violence had no place in a society governed by the rule of law.

“Such actions are unacceptable under any circumstances,” the organisation said, adding that attacks on people responsible for protecting the country’s natural heritage weaken national efforts to address environmental crimes.

A Rocha Ghana noted that the Babatokuma incident was not an isolated case but part of a growing pattern of threats, intimidation, and attacks against Forestry Commission workers, community monitors, and other conservation actors operating across the country.

According to the organisation, many of these personnel work under difficult and risky conditions while carrying out their lawful responsibilities, including preventing illegal logging, illegal mining, and wildlife-related offences.

The environmental group expressed concern that repeated attacks without visible accountability could encourage further acts of violence and create a culture of impunity.

“When attacks against frontline personnel go unpunished or unresolved, they embolden perpetrators, weaken enforcement of environmental laws, and erode public confidence in justice,” A Rocha Ghana said.

The organisation stressed that protecting Ghana’s forests and biodiversity was a national responsibility and that officers tasked with enforcing environmental laws must be allowed to work without fear of threats or violence.

It has therefore called on the Ghana Police Service and other relevant security agencies to conduct a swift, independent, and thorough investigation into the Babatokuma incident and ensure that all persons found culpable are prosecuted.

A Rocha Ghana is also demanding stronger security measures for Forestry Commission personnel and other individuals working in high-risk areas to protect Ghana’s natural resources.

The group further called for sustained action to prevent attacks, threats, and intimidation against environmental officers, community monitors, and institutions involved in conservation and law enforcement.

It also urged authorities to improve transparency in handling the case by providing regular updates on investigations and prosecutions to build public confidence.

Beyond the immediate incident, A Rocha Ghana called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, civil society groups, traditional authorities, and local communities to tackle environmental crimes threatening Ghana’s forests.

The organisation warned that illegal logging, illegal mining, and wildlife crime continue to pose serious risks to the country’s ecological security and the safety of those working to protect the environment.

“At a time when Ghana continues to face significant environmental challenges, it is imperative that all stakeholders work together through lawful and peaceful means to protect our shared natural resources,” the statement said.

A Rocha Ghana appealed to citizens to reject violence and support individuals and institutions working to preserve the country’s forests for future generations.

The organisation concluded that any attack on Forestry Commission personnel or others protecting Ghana’s natural heritage is not only an attack on individuals but also a threat to the rule of law and the country’s environmental future.