Insight Ghana has uncovered a troubling incident involving a group of alleged National Security operatives who attempted to remove five seized excavators from the premises of the Ashanti Regional Forestry Commission.
Armed Men Storm Forestry Commission Yard
According to Insight Ghana’s environmental correspondent Erastus Asare Donkoh, the armed individuals, who claimed to be acting on instructions from a “higher political authority,” stormed the Forestry Commission yard and forcefully removed five heavy-duty excavators that had been confiscated from illegal miners operating in protected forest reserves.
Commission Officers Overpowered
Erastus reported that officials of the commission tried to resist the action, leading to a brief confrontation. However, the security personnel overpowered them and successfully moved the machines out of the premises.
“They claimed they were acting on the authority of a higher political power,” Erastus said during a live report. “Despite resistance from the commission’s officers, the machines were taken away.”
Excavators Returned After Intervention
Shortly after the removal, all five excavators were returned to the commission yard. The reason for the reversal remains unclear, but sources suggest that the alleged political authority involved in the operation may have ordered the machines’ return.
Excavators Originally Seized from Galamsey Operators
The Forestry Commission had originally seized the equipment during an anti-illegal mining operation within the Kyemira extension of the Offin Shelter Belt Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region. These areas have been heavily targeted by illegal miners, leading to environmental degradation and forest destruction.
Unanswered Questions Remain
As of the time of reporting, Insight Ghana has not been able to independently verify the identity of the operatives involvedor the specific political figure who allegedly issued the directive.
“It is still unclear who directed that the seized excavators from the Kyemira extension of the Offin Shelter Belt should be returned or released,” Erastus told host Maame Esi Nyamekye Thompson.
The incident raises serious questions about interference in the enforcement of environmental laws and the integrity of ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining (galamsey) in Ghana.