Accra, Ghana – The Forestry Commission’s recent rejoinder, dated 19th November 2025, claiming to “set the records straight” on the Techimantia case, has sparked more controversy than clarity, leaving several critical questions unanswered about the ongoing under-invoicing of auctioned lumber in regional offices.
While the Commission insists the Techimantia incident was an isolated breach, evidence from multiple regions suggests otherwise. Receipts issued for large volumes of lumber in Western North, Ahafo, and even by the National Timber Monitoring Team (NTMT) show valuations far below the Forestry Commission’s standard guidelines, raising concerns that under-invoicing remains widespread.
Records indicate trucks loaded with thousands of pieces of lumber have been issued receipts ranging between GHC 8,000, GHC 10,000, GHC 15,000, GHC 21,000, and GHC 37,000—significantly lower than the actual value of the timber. In one instance, an articulator truck GE 6786-16 carrying 4,396 pieces of lumber was auctioned at only GHC 30,000 by NTMT accountant Mensah Nelson on 1st October 2025. Another truck carrying 3,140 pieces of lumber was charged GHC 20,000.
Despite these widespread irregularities, the Mim TIDD staff, including Felix Gatiba and Eric Boamah, have been singled out for interdiction. Critics argue that the Commission appears to be using them as scapegoats, while similar practices continue in other offices without consequence.
Questions have also emerged over the treatment of truck AS 3990-25, central to the interdiction case. The Commission claims the interdictions were meant to “pave way for full-scale investigations,” yet the truck was charged an additional GHC 30,000 and released almost immediately, before any Committee of Inquiry was formed or had begun its work. Observers are demanding clarity on the rationale for the additional charge, the authorization for the early release, and whether this premature action compromises the integrity of the ongoing investigations.
Attached receipts from various regional offices further demonstrate that ultra-low valuations for full truckloads of timber continue. Concerns are growing that certain interests within the Commission may have allowed specific offices to conduct these exercises for personal gain, while the Mim TIDD staff bear the brunt of disciplinary action.
Key unanswered questions remain: Why are multiple Forestry Commission regional offices and the National Timber Monitoring Team still issuing receipts far below the standard valuation for full truckloads? Why was the truck at the center of the interdiction released before investigations began? What disciplinary measures are being taken against other officers and offices involved in similar practices? And why is only one office being singled out when the same pattern persists elsewhere?
Until these questions are addressed transparently, the Forestry Commission’s rejoinder is likely to be viewed as damage control rather than a genuine attempt to resolve entrenched under-invoicing practices within its operational units.
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