The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has condemned the forceful closure of the Bekwai District Office of the Forestry Commission by a group of armed men posing as National Security operatives.

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.

“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.”

The Minister's remarks follow reports that over fifteen men, clad in black and wielding weapons, stormed the Bekwai Forestry Commission office earlier on Monday, locking the premises and preventing staff from working. The men claimed they were acting on “orders from above.”

Sources indicate the group’s action was in retaliation to 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 since disassociated itself from the group. 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 Also: Armed men lock up Forestry Commission office at Bekwai over mining clampdown