Forestry Commission denies interdiction of Staff over GHC623,000 revenue

The Forestry Commission of Ghana has clarified that two of its staff members were not interdicted over revenue amounting to GHC623,000, calling reports in several media outlets “false, misleading, and distorted.”

The statement, issued on November 19, 2025, aims to correct misinformation circulating in the Supreme Newspaper and on multiple online platforms.

In a statement released by the Commission’s Corporate Affairs & Media Relations Unit, management emphasized that the interdiction of officers is related to under-invoiced lumber, not revenue collection.

“The information being circulated is aimed at bringing the image of the Forestry Commission into disrepute and causing public disaffection,” the statement said.

The Commission explained that on April 17, 2025, the Chief Executive issued a directive titled “Temporary Freeze on the Auction of Confiscated Lumber and Other Wood Products”. The directive instructed that all confiscated timber and trucks be securely stored at designated offices until further notice to curb reported collusion with timber cartels and ensure transparency in the timber industry.

The issue arose on October 29, 2025, when the Techimantia Checkpoint, operated by the National Timber Monitoring Team, intercepted a truck carrying 3,026 pieces of sawn lumber allegedly auctioned by the Mim TIDD office, en route to Garu in the Upper East Region.

A detailed inspection revealed that the official value of the timber was GHC76,650, but the accompanying invoice recorded only GHC25,000. Over 800 pieces also had dimensions differing from the documented specifications.

Following the discovery, the Chief Executive directed the Human Resource Director to interdict the officers involved to allow a full-scale investigation. A six-member Committee of Inquiry, led by Acting Deputy Chief Executive Timothy Ataboadey Awotiiirim, has been established and is currently investigating the matter.

The Commission emphasized that Felix Gatiba and Eric Boamah were not interdicted, as they generated GHC623,000 in revenue. “We recognize the hard work of our staff and have instituted annual End-of-Year Staff Recognition Awards to reward excellence,” the statement noted.

The Forestry Commission assured the public that it remains committed to transparency, sustainable forest management, and the regulation of timber and timber products across Ghana.