Members of the Techiman Timber Products Retailers Association (TETIPRA) in the Bono East Region have appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to intervene over what they describe as harassment and extortion by alleged Forestry Taskforce operatives on major timber routes.
The timber merchants, numbering about 1,000, say the recent emergence of multiple checkpoints on roads linking the Bono and Ahafo Regions to Northern Ghana is severely affecting their businesses.
According to the association, the taskforce members, who allegedly pose as National Security Operatives and Forestry Commission officials, have mounted checkpoints at locations including Kintampo, Damango, Buipe, Akumadan and the Techiman–Sunyani road.
Addressing a press conference in Techiman, a leading convener of TETIPRA, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulai, popularly known as Foreman, stated that timber transporters are already subjected to routine inspections by recognised Forestry Services Division and Timber Industry Development Division checkpoints.
He explained that despite possessing valid documents issued by the Forestry Commission and other relevant authorities, transporters are allegedly being stopped, harassed and compelled to pay large sums of money without official receipts before being allowed to continue their journeys.
The association claimed the issue has already been reported to the Forestry Commission but no action has been taken to address the situation.
According to the merchants, the continuous harassment is threatening the survival of their businesses and the livelihoods of families who depend on the timber trade.
Alhaji Mohammed Abdulai further noted that many members of the association are supporters of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and believe the alleged activities of the taskforce could negatively affect public confidence in the government ahead of the 2028 general elections.
Some angry members of the association also warned that they may be forced to take action themselves if authorities fail to remove the checkpoints and address their concerns.
The group is therefore calling on the President and relevant state institutions to urgently investigate the matter and restore smooth transportation of legally acquired timber products across the country.
