The Ghana Timber Millers Organisation (GTMO) has strongly condemned the vandalization of a Forestry Commission Timber Monitoring Checkpoint at Babatokuma in the Bono East Region, describing the incident as a criminal act that undermines efforts to regulate Ghana’s timber industry and protect the country’s forest resources.
The attack, which occurred on June 9, resulted in the destruction of state property and injuries to Forestry Commission personnel who were on duty at the checkpoint. GTMO expressed shock and disappointment over reports that individuals believed to be members of a timber trade association allegedly carried out the attack over claims that the checkpoint’s operations were negatively affecting their business activities.
In a statement signed by Dr. Kwame Asamoah Adam, Chief Executive Officer of GTMO, the organisation said the reasons advanced for the destruction of the facility and the assault on Forestry Commission staff were unjustifiable and constituted criminal offences. The organisation called on law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly, identify those responsible, and ensure they are prosecuted.
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“The GTMO is shocked and disappointment by such an incident where members of a timber trade association can attack the staff of the Forestry Commission on an unsubstantiate allegation that the staff at the timber monitoring check point are destroying their timber business. The reasons for the destruction of the facility and the injury caused to the staff constitute a criminal offense and the perpetrators must be fished out, arrested and put before the court, it pointed out.
According to GTMO, the actions of the perpetrators demonstrate a blatant disregard for Ghana’s laws and the established regulatory framework governing the timber industry. The organisation emphasized that clear procedures exist for addressing grievances within the sector and that disputes should be resolved through lawful channels rather than violence.
The organisation highlighted the longstanding collaboration between the Forestry Commission and timber industry stakeholders over the past two decades to curb illegal logging and illegal timber trade. One of the key measures implemented under this partnership has been the expansion of timber tracking and monitoring systems, including the establishment of checkpoints to verify the legality of timber and wood products being transported across the country.
GTMO noted that transporters are required to present documentation at these checkpoints to confirm the origin of timber products and demonstrate compliance with industry regulations. Operators who meet these requirements are allowed to proceed to their destinations.
While acknowledging that delays at checkpoints can occasionally occur due to bureaucratic and logistical challenges, the organisation stressed that such inconveniences can never justify acts of violence, destruction of public property, or attacks on workers carrying out their lawful duties.
The organisation further reaffirmed its support for the Forestry Commission’s efforts to combat illegal logging and illegal timber trade, which it described as a growing threat to Ghana’s forests and the sustainability of legitimate businesses within the sector.
GTMO warned that illegal timber activities continue to fuel widespread forest degradation, particularly in the Bono, Ahafo, and Western regions. According to the organisation, illegally harvested timber is often processed in unregistered mills before entering supply chains and being transported through northern Ghana to markets in Sahelian countries.
The group noted that the increasing prevalence of illegal timber trade has become a national security concern, threatening the survival of legitimate timber businesses, employment opportunities, and foreign exchange earnings.
GTMO therefore called on all stakeholders, including forest-owning communities, the National House of Chiefs, environmental organisations, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of the Interior, and consumers of timber products, to support efforts aimed at eliminating illegal timber exploitation and trade.
Source: Publicagenda.news
