Dr. Hugh C.A. Brown, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s Forestry Commission, has pushed back against internal criticism from staff aligned with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), reaffirming his commitment to professionalism over political loyalty.
According to internal sources, Dr. Brown has emphasized that he is a non-partisan technocrat focused on competence and integrity, not political allegiance. His remarks come amid growing internal friction and allegations of political favoritism in the Commission’s operations and staffing decisions.
Dr. Brown was appointed Deputy CEO in 2022 by then-President Nana Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and was elevated to Acting CEO in 2025 by current President John Mahama of the NDC. His promotion surprised some within the NDC, who saw his prior service under the NPP as a potential conflict.
Despite the NDC administration backing his appointment, some party loyalists within the Forestry Commission have expressed dissatisfaction, claiming they have been sidelined in recent organizational changes. This discontent comes at a time when the forestry sector is under increased scrutiny, particularly over allegations of mismanagement and controversial permit approvals.
Sources cited by MyNewsGh indicate that Dr. Brown remains firm in his position, reportedly telling colleagues he is not in office to "please anybody" but to deliver results based on merit. A veteran forester with over three decades of experience, Dr. Brown holds a Ph.D. in the Sustainable Use of Renewable Natural Resources from the University of Helsinki.
His leadership, however, has faced renewed questions after documents obtained by MyNewsGh suggested he signed off on mining permits for protected forest areas months before he officially assumed the CEO role. The permits—issued in March 2024 to companies including FJ Minerals Limited and Amby Limited—have sparked concern among environmental groups and prompted calls for greater transparency.
So far, the Forestry Commission has not publicly addressed the permit allegations.
Environmental advocates continue to voice alarm over illegal mining and logging in Ghana’s forests, warning that weak oversight could undermine conservation efforts. As the Commission grapples with these issues, all eyes are on Dr. Brown to see whether he can steer the agency through political headwinds while upholding his stated commitment to impartial leadership.
Source: MyNewsGh
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
0 Comments