Operations at the Forestry Commission office responsible for the Oda River Forest Reserve were brought to a standstill on Monday morning after more than 15 fully armed men, believed to be national security operatives, stormed the premises and ordered an immediate shutdown.
According to a report posted on Facebook by Erastus Asare Donkor, a journalist with Multimedia Group, the heavily armed group surrounded the Forestry Commission office and disrupted official duties, creating confusion and fear among staff.
Forestry officials at the scene told Donkor that the men claimed to be acting on “orders from above” and demanded that the office be closed immediately. They further instructed that all keys be handed over to them, without offering formal documentation or legal explanation for the action.“Officials just told me the national security operatives say they have been asked by orders from above to close the offices of the Forestry Commission and bring the keys to them,” Donkor posted.
The incident comes amid rising tension between Forestry officials and illegal mining interests in the Oda River Forest Reserve, where officers have reportedly intensified crackdowns on unauthorized mining operations. Some Forestry Commission staff have allegedly received threats for their role in arresting illegal miners and protecting protected forest zones.
Though the motivation for Monday’s raid remains unclear, sources familiar with recent developments in the area suspect the move could be an attempt to intimidate or silence frontline enforcement officers.
The Oda River Forest Reserve, like many others across the country, has come under increasing threat from illegal mining activities, also known as galamsey, which pose serious risks to Ghana’s environment, forest cover, and water bodies. Forestry officials in the area have recently stepped up efforts to safeguard the reserve, reportedly making multiple arrests and seizing illegal mining equipment.
The unfolding situation raises serious concerns about the safety of state enforcement officers and the growing tension between state institutions and shadow interests operating around Ghana’s natural resources.
