Interdiction Linked to Misconduct, Not Revenue Generation-Forestry Commission

  

The Forestry Commission has strongly dismissed media reports claiming two of its staff members were interdicted for generating GHC623,000 for the institution. In a statement issued on 19th November 2025, the Commission described the publications—carried by the Supreme Newspaper and several online portals—as false, misleading, and distorted, aimed at tarnishing its reputation.
According to the Commission, the facts of the matter have been misrepresented. It explained that the interdiction of certain officers was linked to suspected professional misconduct involving illegal timber activities, not revenue mobilisation.
The Commission outlined that on 17th April 2025, its Chief Executive issued a directive imposing a temporary freeze on the auction of confiscated lumber and wood products. The directive required that all such products, along with trucks conveying them, be deposited at designated Forestry Commission offices. It also emphasised strict accountability and warned that any breach would attract severe sanctions.
The directive was part of broader efforts to improve transparency in domestic timber regulation and curb illegal logging across forest reserves.
Despite this freeze, on 29th October 2025, officials at the Techimantia Checkpoint under the National Timber Monitoring Team intercepted a truck (AS 3990-25) carrying sawn lumber allegedly auctioned by the Mim TIDD office. A detailed examination revealed under-invoicing: although the truck contained 3,026 pieces of lumber valued at GHC76,650, staff at the Mim TIDD office had issued documents covering only GHC25,000.
Further discrepancies were detected, including over 800 pieces of lumber with dimensions inconsistent with the documentation.
Management, upon reviewing the official report, determined that professional misconduct might have occurred. In line with the Commission’s disciplinary procedures, the concerned officers were interdicted to allow for full investigations. A six-member Committee of Inquiry chaired by Acting Deputy Chief Executive Timothy Ataboadey Awotiirim has since begun probing the issue.
The Commission stressed that the interdiction had nothing to do with revenue generation and clarified that Felix Gatiba and Eric Boamah were not sanctioned for raising GHC623,000, contrary to the media reports.
Reaffirming its commitment to integrity, the Forestry Commission noted that it continues to recognise and reward hardworking staff through its annual End-of-Year Staff Recognition Awards.