Illegal loggers in Ghana are using sophisticated weapons and communications to prevent forest officers from stopping them raiding forest reserves.
Reports in the country suggest chainsaw gangs are monitoring the movements of forest officers in the Brong Ahafo region to see when to steal timber.
Some are believed to know forest officers’ mobile telephone numbers to gauge the best time to strike, while also relying on help from informants.
Thefts of various timber species in the Paamu-Berekum Forest Reserve have been growing, with the gangs reportedly willing to engage officers in shootouts, helped by their superior weaponry.
The Forest Services Division in Brong Ahafo has formed a task force with the Dormaa Traditional Council and district assembly in order to gain information on the illegal loggers.
