The Forestry Commission has strongly condemned the forced closure of its district offices in Bekwai, Nkawie, and Offinso in the Ashanti Region by a group of heavily armed, masked individuals claiming to be National Security operatives.

The incident occurred Monday, July 28, when about 20 assailants locked the offices with their own padlocks and left with the keys, without lawful authority.

The Commission described the act as a “blatant act of intimidation,” calling it a violation of public service operations and the constitutional mandate of the FC.

In a statement, the Forestry Commission cited interviews granted by the Ashanti Regional National Security Coordinator, Capt. (Rtd.) Kwame Jabari, who distanced his office from the action and labelled the perpetrators as impostors.

• Read also: Armed men lock up Forestry Commission office at Bekwai over mining clampdown

The Commission is urging law enforcement and relevant authorities to launch a swift, impartial investigation into the incident, arrest and prosecute all those involved, and determine any links to recent arrests of illegal miners by FC teams in the Oda Forest Reserve.

They also appealed to the Ghana Police Service to immediately deploy uniformed officers to secure its offices and checkpoints across the Ashanti Region.

Staff have been assured of their safety and instructed to continue their duties without fear.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Ghana’s forests and combating illegal mining, and encouraged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity near FC facilities.