A recent controversy has sparked heated debates within the Forestry Commission, and it's time to set the record straight. The truth behind the interdiction of two staff members is far from what has been reported, and we're here to uncover the facts.
Dr. Hugh Brown, the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, has taken a stand against misleading publications that claim two officers were interdicted for generating an impressive GH¢623,000 in revenue. The Commission strongly refutes these reports, calling them false and deliberately designed to tarnish its reputation.
On November 19, 2025, the Corporate Affairs and Media Relations Unit issued a statement addressing the matter. It clarified that the publications, which appeared in the Supreme Newspaper and various online platforms, distorted the truth and misrepresented the sequence of events.
Here's where it gets controversial: the interdiction was not about revenue generation, but rather suspected professional misconduct. The Forestry Commission explained that on April 17, 2025, a directive was issued to temporarily freeze the auctioning of confiscated lumber and wood products. This decision was made due to concerns about collusion between some officers and timber cartels, who were allegedly involved in the illegal harvesting and movement of timber, often using forged or undervalued documents.
The directive, which was sent to key stakeholders, including the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, outlined strict measures. All confiscated wood products and trucks were to be deposited at designated Forestry Commission offices, and auctions and truck releases were banned until further notice, with severe sanctions warned for any breaches.
On October 29, 2025, a truck with registration number AS 3990-25 was intercepted at the Techimantia checkpoint by the National Timber Monitoring Team. The vehicle, carrying 3,026 pieces of lumber, had been auctioned by the Mim Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) office and was headed for Garu in the Upper East Region. However, a detailed assessment revealed that the lumber had been significantly under-invoiced.
According to the Commission's standard rate, the lumber should have been valued at GH¢76,650, but the Mim TIDD staff issued an invoice and receipt for only GH¢25,000. Furthermore, more than 800 pieces of lumber had dimensions that did not match the documentation.
Management, after reviewing the report and evidence, concluded that this incident indicated potential misconduct. Following the disciplinary policy, the Chief Executive instructed the Human Resource Directorate to interdict the officers involved to facilitate an independent investigation.
A six-member Committee of Inquiry, led by Acting Deputy Chief Executive Timothy Ataboadey Awotiirim, has commenced investigations. The Commission emphasized that the officers, Felix Gatiba and Eric Boamah, were not interdicted for raising GH¢623,000 for the institution, as claimed in the reports. The Forestry Commission assured the public of its commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct, and it also recognizes diligent staff through its annual End-of-Year Staff Recognition Awards.
So, here's the part most people miss: the interdiction was a necessary step to maintain integrity and uphold the Commission's values. The public is urged to disregard the misleading publications and await the outcome of the ongoing investigations.
What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you believe the Forestry Commission's actions were justified? Feel free to share your opinions and engage in a respectful discussion in the comments below!
