Ghana’s Forests Under Siege: Protests Over Dodowa Market Expansion and Violent Attacks on Forestry Personnel

Ghana is grappling with a surge in environmental conflicts as local communities and conservationists fight to protect the nation’s dwindling forest reserves. In the Shai Osudoku District, traditional leaders and residents of Dodowa are demanding an immediate halt to the clearing of the sacred Dodowa Forest. The site, which holds over 200 years of cultural history and served as a historic battleground during the Katamanso War, is being cleared to make way for a temporary market during the redevelopment of the main Dodowa Market. While stakeholders acknowledge the economic potential of the market project, they argue that sacrificing a critical ecological asset and cultural landmark is an unacceptable cost. Spokesperson Mr. Bright Adjartey Apperkon has alleged that the Member of Parliament, Madam Linda Akweley Ocloo, directed the clearing, leading to widespread concerns over environmental degradation and the loss of heritage.

Simultaneously, the Forestry Commission has condemned a separate, violent escalation in the Bono East Region. On June 9, 2026, a mob attacked a timber checkpoint at Babatokuma in the Kintampo District, setting fire to a newly constructed accommodation facility for forestry personnel. The attackers, reportedly motivated by the commission's strict monitoring of timber activities, assaulted staff members, causing injuries that required hospitalization. This incident has sparked a national outcry, with the environmental NGO A Rocha Ghana describing the arson as a direct threat to the rule of law and environmental governance. They warned that such lawlessness undermines efforts to combat illegal logging and wildlife crime, leaving conservation workers vulnerable in high-risk areas.

These two developments highlight a growing tension between economic interests and the preservation of Ghana’s natural resources. In Dodowa, environmental scientists and local leaders warn that the forest’s reduction in size due to encroachment and now official redevelopment projects could lead to severe ecological consequences, including sanitation issues and the loss of biodiversity. Meanwhile, the Forestry Commission is collaborating with security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators of the Babatokuma attack, emphasizing that forest protection is a collective responsibility. As environmental advocates call for stronger government intervention and community stewardship, the outcome of these disputes will likely determine the future of Ghana's ecological and socio-economic stability.