The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has strongly condemned the violent and unauthorized closure of the Bekwai District Office of the Forestry Commission by a group of armed men falsely posing as National Security operatives.
In a statement shared via Facebook on Monday, July 28, the Minister described the attack as “brazen and unlawful,” urging law enforcement agencies to take swift action against those involved.
“These acts of lawlessness must not be allowed to take root. We must uphold public peace and protect the credibility of our institutions. This should send a strong message to anyone with similar motives,” he said.
According to eyewitness accounts, over 15 armed men dressed in black stormed the Bekwai office earlier in the day, locked the premises, and barred staff from entering. Claiming to act on “orders from above,” the group offered no official documentation or identification.
Sources believe the raid may have been in retaliation for recent anti-illegal mining operations led by the Forestry Commission in the Oda River Forest Reserve, which falls under the Bekwai district’s jurisdiction.
The National Security Secretariat has since distanced itself from the assailants, confirming that the operation was unauthorized and that the individuals involved are not legitimate operatives. It has ordered their immediate arrest and stressed that such actions will not be tolerated under any circumstance.
Local police responded promptly, reopened the office, and escorted the suspects to the Municipal Chief Executive’s office for further interrogation.
Minister Armah-Kofi Buah reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Ghana’s natural resources and emphasized that attacks on lawful institutions undermine governance and the rule of law.
“This behavior cannot be ignored. The full force of the law must be brought to bear on those responsible,” he stated.
