Farmers at Aboduabo, a community in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region, have reportedly been assaulted by forest guards during a dispute over alleged encroachment on a forest reserve.
The farmers, who cultivate cocoa, plantain, maize, and cocoyam, alleged that officials of the Bibiani Forestry Commission destroyed their crops, claiming they were farming within a protected reserve.
According to the farmers, their attempt to confront the officers led to assaults, leaving some of them injured and currently receiving treatment at the Anhwiaso Community Hospital.
The incident has heightened tension in the community, with farmers maintaining that the land in question does not fall within the forest reserve.
Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai, Bright Asamoah Brefo, has appealed to farmers to desist from expanding into restricted areas. He assured that existing farms would be protected to prevent further clashes between the Forestry Commission and the community.
