Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, has spoken on the recent attack on the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in Hwidiem, Ahafo Region, and the alleged involvement of the Asutifi North Member of Parliament, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo.
In an interview on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Mr. Kotoko stressed that while the MP is his friend, investigations must take their course to bring the culprits to justice.
“The MP has already narrated his side of the story, and the other parties have also given theirs. The Lands Minister expects that this issue is resolved quickly. That’s why he met with the Speaker of Parliament and the Interior Minister, to ensure that the right thing is done and discipline is restored” he said.
According to Mr. Kotoko, the intervention was crucial to prevent fatalities similar to past incidents.
“If not for the intervention of some people, it would have been fatal, and that would have been very bad. I commend the soldiers for maintaining their composure and not causing any fatalities,” he noted.
He also stressed the role of traditional authorities in advising local youth to exercise caution.
“Chiefs and traditional authorities must speak to the youth and advise them not to attack soldiers. The law must take its course,” he added.
Mr. Kotoko said the Forestry Commission’s priority is to tackle illegal mining in forest reserves and protect water bodies.
“Once the investigations are ongoing, everything will be done according to the law,” he said.
The comments come as the Asutifi North MP, Ebenezer Kwaku Addo, is scheduled to appear at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Accra on November 4, 2025. The invitation is part of police investigations into the attack on the NAIMOS office.
The NAIMOS taskforce, led by Director Colonel Dominic Boah, was reportedly attacked by a mob after apprehending suspected illegal miners near Bronikrom.
Preliminary police findings indicate that the team had arrested several suspects and seized items including a Smith & Wesson pistol, ammunition, two pistol magazines, an unregistered Range Rover, an unregistered Toyota RAV4, and several mobile phones.
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