The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG), a consortium of over 20 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), has called for the immediate arrest, prosecution, and dismissal of all National Security operatives involved in recent attacks on three district offices of the Forestry Commission.
In a press statement, the Coalition described the attacks—which occurred at the Bekwai, Nkawie, and Offinso offices in the Ashanti Region—as “unfortunate, shameful, and unlawful.”
GCAG said the assault involved more than 15 fully armed National Security operatives who broke into offices, harassed staff, and forcefully shut down operations.
The group alleged that the raid was a coordinated and unlawful act aimed at intimidating and frustrating the work of Forestry Commission officials engaged in combating illegal mining—also known as galamsey—across seven forest reserves.
GCAG said these actions constitute not only an abuse of institutional power but also a grave breach of the rule of law, especially given that they were carried out by a security agency mandated to uphold national security and legal order.
The Coalition is demanding that all politically connected persons who authorised or participated in the unlawful deployment be identified and prosecuted.
It is also calling for an independent committee to be established to investigate the matter, and for the implicated Ashanti Regional National Security Coordinator to be interdicted to ensure transparency and accountability.
The CSOs noted that the attacks point to a growing and disturbing trend of politically motivated interference in the work of state institutions tasked with protecting Ghana’s environment.
GCAG further condemned the appointment of politically exposed individuals without technical expertise to positions within the Forestry Commission, warning that such political interference undermines professional efforts to protect the country’s forests.
The Coalition urged the government to act decisively and demonstrate its commitment to good governance, institutional integrity, and environmental protection, warning that continued inaction would deepen public mistrust.
