A violent mob of lumber traders and sellers from the Oda Timber Market has attacked and vandalised the Akyem Oda District Office of the Forest Services Division (FSD), leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in their wake.
The office is currently under heavy police guard to prevent further attacks and protect lives and property.
The violence was sparked by the sudden death of Kwame Asante, a leading member of the lumber sellers, who was killed in a tragic accident involving a KIA Hyundai Mighty truck and a motorbike. Asante was transporting lumber from Kwaaboadi to the Oda Timber Market when the accident occurred.
According to eyewitnesses, Asante’s workers and colleagues were incensed by the accident and falsely claimed that the FSD task force was responsible for his death.
This sparked a wave of violence and vandalism, with the mob attacking the FSD office and staff, forcing them to flee for their lives.
Confirming the incident to the Daily Graphic at Oda, the Oda Divisional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mr Samuel Nyamekye Adane-Ameyaw, said the deceased, Asante hired a KIA Hyundai Mighty truck with registration number GW 314-13 to convey his lumber from Kwaaboadi to the Oda timber market last Tuesday.
He said on reaching Oda Nkwanta, the late Asante who was on a motorbike leading the KIA Might truck, spotted members of the FSD task force on a Toyota pickup vehicle.
Crack down
According to ACP Adane-Ameyaw, the late Asante in an attempt to cross the Toyota pick-up, was accidentally hit by the Hyundai Mighty truck, killing him instantly.
He stressed that the occupants of the taxi occupied by the workers of the late Asante had hot exchanges with the FSD task force members, alleging that their driver had allegedly killed their boss.
The incident has also highlighted the need for greater regulation and oversight in the timber industry. The FSD has been working to crack down on illegal logging and ensure that timber is harvested sustainably, but the attack on their office has raised concerns about their ability to effectively enforce regulations.
“The timber industry is a significant contributor to Ghana’s economy, but it must be managed in a sustainable and responsible manner,” said the Oda Divisional Police Commander.
“We will do everything in our power to ensure that those responsible for this violence are brought to justice and that the FSD is able to carry out its duties without fear of attack.”
“The situation was chaotic,” Cynthia Okaine, the Oda District Manager of the FSD, said, adding: “Our staff were attacked and forced to run for their lives. If not for the timely intervention of the security personnel, the entire office would have been destroyed.”
Investigations
The police have arrested the driver of the KIA Hyundai Mighty truck, Wisdom Ahiamale, to assist in investigations. Ms Okaine has expressed gratitude to the security personnel who intervened to prevent further destruction and protect her staff.
This is not the first time that the FSD staff has come under attack from mobs. Ms Okaine revealed that this was the third of such incidents recently, highlighting the growing tensions and violence in the lumber trade.
“This is not the first time our staff has come under attack from mobs,” Ms Okaine said. “It’s becoming increasingly difficult for us to perform our duties without fear of violence. We urge the authorities to take swift action to address this situation.”
She was grateful to the soldiers at the Akyem Achiase Jungle Welfare School and police personnel at the Oda Divisional Police Headquarters for protecting their staff and property from destruction.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
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