The government of Ghana has signed an agreement with the European Union, establishing Ghana as the first African nation to issue Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT) licenses.
Set to take effect on June 30, 2025, the agreement was formalized during the 12th session of the Ghana-EU Joint Monitoring Review Mechanism of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) held in Accra on November 6, 2024.
This historic partnership marks a significant step in Ghana’s commitment to sustainable forest management and positions the country as a model for legal timber trade.
The FLEGT licensing initiative follows years of comprehensive stakeholder engagement, confirming Ghana’s readiness to trade in legally sourced timber and champion transparency and accountability in its timber industry.
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, commended the collective efforts that led to this achievement, emphasizing the value of transparent and sustainable management of forest resources.
“The Aide Memoire we are signing today encapsulates the key outcomes of our discussions and serves as a roadmap for future actions. It underscores our commitment to enhancing transparency, accountability, and the sustainable management of our forest resources,” he stated.
The document provides guidelines for managing forest reserves, growing the economy through legal timber trade, and curbing industry illegalities.
Jinapor highlighted the critical role of the United Kingdom in supporting Ghana’s development of technical systems for forest management, training auditors, and implementing independent audits before Brexit.
He also expressed deep gratitude to the EU for its consistent support throughout the years.
EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, noted that this milestone reflects fifteen years of preparation and positions Ghana as a global leader in sustainable timber export.
He underscored that Ghana’s new status will not only boost international confidence but also attract investors keen on rigorous governance standards for timber products.
This landmark achievement symbolizes Ghana’s dedication to sustainable forestry and positions it as a key player in responsible global timber trade.
