‘No One Has Combated Illegality In The Forest than Me’ – Former Forestry Commission Boss

Charles Owusu, the former Director of Operations of the Forestry Commission, has claimed in an interview on Nkwantannanso, on May 9 that he was the most effective person in the history of the commission at combating illegality in the forest.

“In the history of the Forestry Commission, no one has combated illegality in the forest than me,” he said.

According to Mr Owusu, he introduced checkpoints on the Accra-Kumasi road, and in some parts of Northern Ghana to combat illegal activities in the forest. He also worked with over one hundred and twenty soldiers who guarded some forest reserves.

Despite his efforts, he lamented that no one acknowledged his contributions towards combating illegal activities in the forest.

He reacted to the report by Professor Frimpong-Boateng that he was involved in illegal activities as a former Director of Operations of the Forestry Commission and denied all allegations related to that report.

“It is not true. I have denied it. Unfortunately, my boss, Sir John, is not alive to defend us. Dead men do not talk. It can never be true today or tomorrow”

In a recently released report titled “Report on the IMCIM and the Way Forward,” Professor Frimpong-Boateng revealed shocking information about the complicity of high-ranking government officials in illegal small-scale mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey.

According to the 36-page report, officials at the presidency, Members of Parliament from both political parties, and top party officials have been involved in the illicit business of galamsey.

The report revealed that Sir John had employed Chinese gangs to conduct mining activities on his behalf, facilitated by Charles Owusu, who was the Director of Operations at the Forestry Commission.