Armed Men Lock Up Forestry Commission Office at Bekwai Over Mining Clampdown

Armed Men Lock Up Forestry Commission Office at Bekwai Over Mining Clampdown

The Bekwai District in Ghana’s Ashanti Region was gripped with tension on Monday after a group of armed men stormed the local Forestry Commission office and forcibly locked it up. The incident is believed to be a retaliatory act following the Commission’s recent crackdown on illegal mining activities—commonly referred to as "galamsey"—within forest reserves.

Eyewitnesses reported that the heavily armed group arrived at the office premises unannounced, ordered staff to vacate the building, and proceeded to lock the main gates. No injuries were reported, but the shocking nature of the incident has raised concerns about the growing boldness of illegal miners and their sympathizers.

Initial investigations suggest that the attack was in direct response to a series of operations led by the Forestry Commission and other government security forces aimed at halting illegal mining operations in the area. Several excavators and other mining equipment were reportedly seized or destroyed during the clampdown.

Speaking on the matter, a senior official at the Forestry Commission, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case, stated, “We are not surprised. Whenever we make significant progress in enforcing the law, there are always attempts to intimidate us. But this will not stop us.”

The incident has since attracted national attention, with Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Samuel Abu Jinapor, describing the attack as a criminal act that must be met with swift justice. He has directed law enforcement agencies to investigate and arrest the perpetrators without delay.

“The gallantry of our men and women protecting our forests must not be rewarded with intimidation and violence. This brazen attack is not just an assault on a government institution—it is an assault on the rule of law and the fight to preserve our environment,” the Minister emphasized.

Security personnel have since been deployed to the Bekwai office to secure the facility and ensure staff safety as investigations continue. The Ghana Police Service has also confirmed that it is reviewing surveillance footage and gathering witness statements to identify the suspects.

Local residents have expressed a mix of fear and outrage, with some accusing the state of not doing enough to curb illegal mining, while others condemned the use of violence as a means of protest.

Environmental groups have called for stronger protection for Forestry Commission staff and greater political will to tackle illegal mining, which has left significant ecological scars across Ghana’s landscape.

As authorities work to restore calm and order, the incident at Bekwai underscores the dangerous intersections of environmental protection, resource exploitation, and criminal resistance—a struggle that is far from over.