Communities Terrorized as NDC-Affiliated Groups Clash Over Forests; Death Toll
Ahafo Region, Ghana Once celebrated for its lush forests and tranquil vistas, Ahafo Region has descended into chaos, with escalating timber related violence and governmental silence pushing communities to the brink. A surge in deadly clashes, linked to armed groups associated with the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has left residents fearing for their lives as authorities fail to intervene.
Over recent weeks, towns such as Sankore, Akrodie, Asumura, and Breme-Pokukrom-Adugyama have become epicenters of lawlessness. Reports indicate that NDC-aligned groups, emboldened since the party assumed power in December, are pillaging forests with impunity. What began as illegal logging has spiraled into fatal gun battles for control of timber resources. Last weekend, multiple deaths were reported in Asunafo South, with clashes spreading toward the Western North Region. On Tuesday, three men identified as NDC-linked operatives from Tano South Constituency were killed in a violent confrontation in the Breme-Pokukrom-Adugyama forest.
Forestry Commission officers, mandated to protect reserves, now stand powerless, citing threats to their safety and livelihoods. “We’re mere spectators,” one officer anonymously disclosed. “The gangs operate recklessly, they know no one will stop them.”
Residents accuse regional leaders of indifference. Despite mounting casualties and clear ties between the violence and political factions, NDC representatives in Ahafo have offered no concrete solutions. “Do they even care about the bloodshed?” asked a Sankore elder, echoing widespread frustration.
The crisis transcends environmental degradation, exposing fragile security infrastructure. Communities, abandoned to navigate chaos alone, face dwindling livelihoods and trauma. “Our forests burn while leaders look away,” lamented a local farmer.
As deaths mount, residents demand accountability. The silence from Accra and regional offices raises alarming questions: How many more lives must be lost before intervention? For Ahafo’s besieged populace, the answer cannot come soon enough.
Published by: Sir Phylose
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