A major controversy has erupted within Ghana’s Forestry Commission as two officers with the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) in the Ahafo Region have been interdicted shortly after generating a record GHS 623,000 for the state. The interdiction has triggered widespread concern among staff and stakeholders who are questioning why officers who followed due process and delivered exceptional revenue performance are now the target of disciplinary action.
The affected officers—Mr. Felix Gatiba, the Ahafo Area Manager, and Mr. Eric Boamah, an Inspector—were interdicted after successfully executing directives given by the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission in charge of Operations, Mr. Elikem Kotoko. Their interdiction, according to internal sources, appears to be influenced by deep-seated resistance from individuals benefiting from irregular revenue practices that the Deputy CEO’s actions had threatened to expose within Ghana’s timber sector.
A renewed fight against revenue losses in Ghana’s forestry industry
The recent events trace back to the appointment of Mr. Elikem Kotoko as Deputy CEO in charge of Operations. Upon assuming office, he reportedly uncovered disturbing irregularities within Ghana’s illegal lumber trade system. Sources within the Commission revealed that Mr. Kotoko expressed strong dissatisfaction with how the state had been losing millions of cedis due to unregulated activities, collusion, and possible under-declaration of revenue across the country.
His arrival, insiders say, disrupted long-standing networks that benefited from illegalities within Ghana’s timber value chain. As part of efforts to tighten operations, the Deputy CEO initiated intelligence-led operations across the Ahafo and Bono enclaves, where alarming quantities of illegal lumber were being transported without permits.
During these operations, several truckloads of lumber were impounded. Individuals benefiting from the illicit trade were said to be unsettled by the Deputy CEO’s renewed enforcement strategy, which threatened long-standing revenue leakages affecting the state.
Court authorization, auction, and a record GHS 623,000 deposited for Ghana
Following the seizure of the vehicles and lumber, Mr. Kotoko is said to have instructed the Ahafo TIDD office to commence lawful court procedures to obtain an order for the auction of the confiscated lumber. The Ahafo TIDD officers complied, obtained the necessary court authorization, and legally auctioned the lumber.
The auction generated a remarkable GHS 623,000, which was promptly deposited into the Forestry Commission’s account to support Ghana’s national revenue efforts.
This figure immediately drew attention because it was more than 150 percent higher than the previous month’s revenue generated by the National Monitoring Team, raising legitimate questions about why such high figures were never recorded earlier.
The disparity prompted observers within Ghana’s forestry sector to question whether the National Monitoring Team had been failing to impound illegal lumber or had possibly been under-declaring revenue.
Resistance from vested interests within Ghana
The unexpectedly high revenue generated reportedly unsettled individuals and networks that had benefited from under-declared operations for years. Insiders disclosed that these “invisible hands” mounted pressure after realizing that the Deputy CEO’s strict enforcement could expose historic irregularities and revenue losses affecting the Ghanaian state.
It is in the midst of this tension that the HR Directorate issued interdiction letters to Mr. Gatiba and Mr. Boamah. The letters, according to sources, were signed on the instructions of the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh Brown, and the Executive Director of TIDD, Dr. Richard Gyimah.
The interdiction has been described by many within the Commission as surprising, unjustifiable, and a worrying signal for Ghanaian public servants who strive to work with transparency and integrity.
Committee established, but Ghanaian insiders express doubts
A six-member committee has since been constituted to investigate the matter. As part of the interdiction terms, the officers will forfeit 50% of their salaries during the investigation.
However, several insiders within the Forestry Commission have expressed skepticism about whether the committee will thoroughly examine all aspects of the operation—particularly the intelligence-led operation, the impoundment of the lumber, the lawful process of obtaining the court order, the auction procedures, and the payment of the GHS 623,000 into the Commission’s account.
Some Ghanaian forestry workers believe the committee’s mandate may be restricted in a way that avoids exposing entrenched interests that have contributed to revenue losses within the sector over the years.
Calls grow for a nationwide forensic audit in Ghana
The unfolding situation has intensified calls for a full forensic audit of the Forestry Commission, especially revenue-related activities under the National Monitoring Team and regional offices across Ghana. Many stakeholders argue that only a thorough audit can uncover systemic issues, possible collusion, and revenue leakages.
Observers within Ghana’s timber sector note that the actions of the Ahafo TIDD officers should have been commended, not punished, adding that the GHS 623,000 generated within a single month demonstrates the significant gains Ghana stands to achieve if illegalities are curbed.
Critical questions for Ghana’s forestry sector
As the investigation proceeds, several critical questions remain unanswered:
- Why were Ghanaian officers who followed lawful procedures interdicted instead of being acknowledged?
- Who stands to lose if transparent, high revenue generation continues?
- Was due process followed before issuing the interdiction letters?
- What role did internal pressure or resistance from vested interests play in the interdiction decision?
- Why has the National Monitoring Team not generated similar revenue despite operating across Ghana?
These questions continue to dominate conversations within Ghana’s Forestry Commission and Ghana’s broader timber industry.
The outcome of the investigation will be crucial—not only for the interdicted officers but for the credibility of Ghana’s Forestry Commission as a whole. Many believe the findings will either expose systemic weaknesses or justify the increasing calls for comprehensive reforms.
For now, the interdiction of officers who generated exceptional revenue for Ghana continues to spark intense debate, raising concerns about fairness, accountability, transparency, and the future direction of the Forestry Commission.
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