Legal and administrative challenges facing Elikem Kotoko, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission of Ghana, are increasingly viewed by forestry experts and civil society groups as targeted retaliation against an official who has taken a firm stance against illegal logging and exploitation of forest resources.
Mr. Kotoko has been a prominent figure in Ghana’s enforcement drive against illegal timber activities, directing field officers to rigorously apply forestry laws, intercept illegal timber transportation, and ensure offenders are prosecuted. Supporters say these efforts have disrupted illegal operations and helped boost internally generated revenue for the state.
Instead of institutional backing, sources say officers implementing the directives faced unresolved interdictions, which analysts believe are designed to intimidate enforcement staff and weaken Ghana’s forest protection regime.
Tensions heightened after the inauguration of the National Timber Monitoring Team (NTMT), an initiative aimed at improving transparency and eliminating illegal timber movements. According to forestry insiders, illegal logging cartels saw the NTMT as a serious threat and have sought to undermine its work.
Related News
The legal case before the Tepa Magistrate Court, filed by Yeboah Kwaku Ninson, relates to a routine forest monitoring operation in July 2025. Observers argue the suit is less about legitimate grievances and more about silencing enforcement efforts that disrupt entrenched illegal interests.
The matter is scheduled to resume on February 3, 2026, and is now seen as a key test of Ghana’s commitment to environmental justice and support for officials enforcing forestry laws.
