On May 17, 2025, the Rapid Response Team of the Forestry Commission embarked on an intelligence-led operation in the Upper Wassaw Forest Reserve in the Bibiani Forest District to clamp down on illegal mining activities. The team targeted an area known as Amenase, where reports of galamsey (illegal small-scale mining) had been rampant.
Upon arrival, the team found an excavator with chassis number 1148/8137457-00 and Model no. SE 2151-KLC, which was left behind by fleeing illegal miners.
The seized excavator was relocated to a nearby town, pending transportation to the Forestry Commission’s office in Bibiani via a negotiated low-loader truck. However, the situation took a dramatic turn when two individuals, Kwabena Anyimade and Kweku Asuama Atobrah, arrived at the scene, claiming ownership of the excavator and the site of the illegal activity. The suspects were promptly arrested and were to be taken to the Bibiani Police Station for further investigation.
However, their journey was interrupted by the District Police Commander for Diaso, Superintendent Bernard Morgan, and one Alhassan of the Forest Protection Unit (FPU). The Police Commander claimed that the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) had instructed them to release the suspects. Despite this alleged directive, the Forest Officers refused to yield, insisting that the matter should be settled through the law courts. The suspects were eventually handed over to the Diaso Police for further investigation and prosecution.
In a bizarre twist, when the Forestry Commission team returned to transport the seized excavator to their office, they discovered that it had been taken away to an unknown destination by unknown individuals. The team is currently conducting investigations to locate the missing excavator. Meanwhile, the suspects, Kwabena Anyimade and Kweku Asuama Atobrah, have been granted bail.
This incident raises serious concerns about the alleged interference of political figures in the enforcement of environmental laws. The Forestry Commission’s efforts to combat illegal mining activities seem to have been thwarted by the actions of the District Police Commander and the alleged directive from the MCE. The Commission’s resolve to pursue this matter through the courts is a welcome development, and it remains to be seen how this case will unfold.
The Forestry Commission’s commitment to protecting Ghana’s forest reserves and natural resources is commendable. However, the success of such efforts requires the support and cooperation of all stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies and political leaders. The alleged actions of the District Police Commander and the MCE in this case undermine the rule of law and the efforts to protect the environment.
As investigations into the missing excavator continue, it is imperative that the relevant authorities take decisive action to ensure that those responsible for this alleged interference are held accountable. The public expects transparency and accountability in the management of natural resources, and it is the responsibility of those in power to ensure that the law is enforced without fear or favor.
The outcome of this case will be closely watched, and it is hoped that justice will be served, and the rule of law will prevail. The protection of Ghana’s natural resources is a collective responsibility, and it requires the commitment and cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure that these resources are managed sustainably for the benefit of all Ghanaians.
Credit:Erastus Asare Donkor
