Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, has strongly condemned the forceful closure of the Bekwai District Office of the Forestry Commission by a group of armed men allegedly belonging to the National Security.
The Minister’s statement comes on the back of reports that fifteen men, clad in black and wielding weapons, stormed the Forestry Commission office in Bekwai earlier on Monday, July 28, 2025, locking the premises and preventing the staff from working.
The said men claimed to have been working with “orders from above.”
In a statement on Facebook on Monday, 28th July, the Minister described the act as “brazen and unlawful” and called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.
He wrote, “These acts of lawlessness should not be allowed to fester. We must preserve public peace and the credibility of our institutions,” he stated. “This must serve as a strong deterrent to other unscrupulous persons who may harbour similar intentions.”
Reasons for the unauthorised closure of the Bekwai Forestry Commission Office remain unknown; however, reports gathered by Peacefmonline.com reveal that the group’s action was purported to be a retaliation for the Forestry Commission’s recent clampdown on illegal mining activities within the Oda River Forest Reserve, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Bekwai office.
The National Security Secretariat has denied knowledge of the men who carried out the unlawful act.
According to the National Security Coordinator, the operation was unauthorised, and the individuals involved are not recognised operatives of the state security apparatus.
National Security has subsequently directed the arrest of the suspects, stating emphatically that it does not condone such illegal actions.
The Bekwai Police later intervened to reopen the office and escorted the impostors to the Municipal Chief Executive’s office for questioning.
The incident has reignited concerns over threats faced by Forestry Commission staff involved in anti-galamsey (illegal mining) enforcement.
Read Full Facebook Post Below:
Monday, 28th July, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONDEMNATION OF INVASION OF BEKWAI DISTRICT OFFICE OF FORESTRY COMMISSION
Earlier today, I received reports on the brazen and unlawful closure of the Bekwai District Office of the Forestry Commission by persons masquerading as National Security operatives in the Ashanti Region.As Sector Minister, I am deeply appalled by this incident and strongly condemn the invasion in no uncertain terms.
Indeed, such acts of lawlessness undermine the rule of law, threaten public peace and tarnish the integrity of institutions like the National Security — and must not be allowed to fester.On that note, I call on all relevant law enforcement agencies to swiftly apprehend and prosecute all those involved in the said illegality.
This will serve as a strong deterrent to other unscrupulous persons who may harbour similar intentions.
Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah(Minister for Lands and Natural Resources)
