The Ghana Timber Millers Organisation (GTMO) has strongly condemned the recent attack on a Forestry Commission timber monitoring checkpoint at Babatokuma in the Bono East Region, describing the incident as a criminal act that threatens efforts to combat illegal logging and timber trade in the country.
In a statement signed by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kwame Asamoah Adam, on behalf of the organisation’s president, GTMO expressed shock and disappointment over the destruction of state property and the assault on Forestry Commission personnel during the incident, which occurred on June 9, 2026.
According to the organisation, the perpetrators allegedly attacked the checkpoint and injured staff over claims that the monitoring exercise was negatively affecting their timber business.
GTMO rejected the justification for the attack, stressing that there are established legal procedures for addressing grievances within the timber industry.
The organisation called on law enforcement agencies to identify, arrest and prosecute all individuals involved in the vandalism, noting that the actions of the attackers represented a blatant disregard for Ghana’s laws and regulatory systems.
GTMO emphasized that Ghana’s timber industry operates under a well-defined legal and policy framework, which requires timber transporters and traders to comply with documentation and verification procedures at designated monitoring checkpoints.
The organisation explained that the Forestry Commission, in collaboration with timber trade associations, has over the years strengthened timber tracking and monitoring systems to curb illegal logging and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
While acknowledging that transporters sometimes experience delays at checkpoints due to administrative and logistical challenges, GTMO maintained that such frustrations could never justify violence, destruction of public property, or attacks on public officials.
The Association further highlighted the growing threat posed by illegal logging and unregulated timber trade, particularly in parts of the Bono, Ahafo and Western regions, where large sections of forests are reportedly under pressure from illegal operators.
According to GTMO, illegally harvested timber is often processed in unregistered mills and smuggled through northern transit routes into Sahelian countries, undermining legal businesses and accelerating forest degradation.
The organisation said the Forestry Commission’s intensified monitoring measures in affected areas are necessary to protect Ghana’s forests and preserve the integrity of the timber industry.
GTMO also appealed to stakeholders, including forest-dependent communities, the National House of Chiefs, environmental organisations, security agencies, and relevant government ministries, to support efforts to tackle illegal timber exploitation and trade.
The organisation warned that failure to address the menace could lead to the collapse of legitimate timber businesses, resulting in significant job losses and reduced foreign exchange earnings for the country.
