Lands Minister Demands Prosecution of Impostors Who Locked Up Bekwai Forestry Commission Office

Lands Minister Demands Prosecution of Impostors Who Locked Up Bekwai Forestry Commission Office

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has issued a firm call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of individuals who illegally locked up the offices of the Forestry Commission at Bekwai in the Ashanti Region.

Labeling the act as not only unlawful but also an affront to Ghana’s forest governance institutions, the Minister described the actions of the impostors as a direct challenge to the authority of the state. Speaking to the media during a press briefing, Mr. Jinapor warned that the Ministry will not tolerate any form of lawlessness aimed at frustrating the operations of state institutions tasked with protecting Ghana’s natural resources.

According to initial reports, a group of unidentified persons stormed the Bekwai District Forestry Commission office earlier this week and locked up the facility without any legal backing. The move, which disrupted the operations of forest rangers and administrative staff, has sparked public concern over increasing threats to environmental protection agencies across the country.

“These actions are criminal. No individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands. I have directed the Forestry Commission and the appropriate security agencies to work swiftly to identify, arrest, and prosecute those behind this shameful incident,” the Minister stated emphatically.

He stressed that such acts undermine the hard-fought gains made in forest preservation and climate action efforts, especially at a time when illegal mining and deforestation continue to threaten Ghana’s ecological integrity.

Mr. Jinapor further indicated that the Ministry is exploring legal reforms to empower Forestry Commission officers with stronger enforcement mechanisms, including security reinforcements and legal backing for on-ground operations.

Local residents in the Bekwai area have expressed mixed reactions to the development. While some argue that the Forestry Commission has not adequately addressed illegal logging activities, others believe the action taken by the impostors was reckless and counterproductive.

Meanwhile, security forces have begun investigations into the incident. Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts are being reviewed to track down the culprits.

The Forestry Commission, under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, plays a critical role in the sustainable management of Ghana’s forest reserves, wildlife protection, and regulation of timber resources. Disruptions to their work, the Minister warned, are tantamount to sabotaging national environmental goals.

As of now, the Bekwai office has resumed operations under heightened security, and stakeholders await swift justice to deter future disruptions.