The Bolgatanga Circuit Court has fined an illegal occupant of a forest reserve in the Talensi District 500 penalty units after he was found guilty of constructing a structure within a protected forest area.
The offender had erected a permanent block structure inside the Red Volta West Forest Reserve, where he was reportedly engaged in farming and rearing animals. According to the Bolgatanga District Forestry Manager, Felix Amoah, the illegal structure had been standing for about three months before it was detected by officials of the Forestry Commission.
Speaking in an interview on A1 Radio, Mr. Amoah explained that the suspect, believed to be in his forties and from Tongo, had cleared portions of the forest and constructed the building to support farming and livestock activities within the reserve.
“If you look at the place, he had animals there, so it means he was rearing animals while at the same time doing farming within the forest reserve,” he said.
He noted that the action violates the Forest Protection Decree 1974 (NRCD 243) as amended by the Forest Protection (Amendment) Act 2002 (Act 624), which prohibits individuals from entering forest reserves to farm, graze animals, or erect structures without authorization.
Mr. Amoah said the court’s decision to impose the maximum fine of 500 penalty units was in line with the amended provisions of the law.
“The amendment prescribes a minimum of 250 penalty units and a maximum of 500 penalty units, or a fine and imprisonment at the same time. The court imposing the highest penalty is deterrent enough for others who may intend to engage in such illegal acts,” he explained.
Following the court ruling, officials of the Forestry Commission, with support from the Ghana Police Service, secured a court order and demolished the illegal structure on March 13, 2026. Mr. Amoah warned that illegal developments within forest reserves pose serious environmental risks, including the destruction of trees and the degradation of fragile ecosystems.
He explained that clearing trees for farming and constructing buildings within forest reserves could lead to soil erosion and siltation of nearby water bodies. He added that the Forestry Commission would intensify patrols within the reserve to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Mr. Amoah also commended the Circuit Court and the police for ensuring that the law was enforced and urged the public to refrain from engaging in illegal activities within forest reserves. He cautioned individuals involved in illegal farming, illegal mining, sand winning, and other unauthorized activities in protected areas to desist from such acts or face the full rigours of the law when they are caught.
A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Bolgatanga
