Ghana is on track to become the first African country—and only the second globally—to issue a Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FFLEGT) licence by 30 June 2025, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced.
The announcement was made during a courtesy call on the Minister by the European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, underscoring the strong and long-standing partnership between Ghana and the EU in promoting sustainable forest governance.
Reflecting on nearly two decades of collaboration under the 2009 Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), Buah said Ghana had fully established its forest legality assurance systems.
“The only outstanding step is the parliamentary ratification of a second batch of Timber Utilisation Contracts, which we expect to complete after the Easter recess,” the Minister said.
Beyond achieving FLEGT licensing, Buah disclosed plans to further strengthen Ghana’s Wood Tracking System and the Ghana Legality Assurance System through enhanced logistics, digital innovations, and training programmes.
He also urged the European Union to support Ghana’s “Tree for Life” reforestation campaign with technical expertise and climate finance.
The Minister further appealed for assistance in tackling illegal mining, particularly in strengthening enforcement operations, undertaking land reclamation, and restoring polluted water bodies.
Ambassador Razaaly commended Ghana’s progress and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to deepening investments in forest management, capacity building, and green economic growth.
The EU accounted for about 14% of Ghana’s total trade in 2022. Ambassador Razaaly noted that the imminent FLEGT licence would send a strong signal to global markets that Ghanaian timber is both legally sourced and sustainably produced.
“As we prepare to roll out our first FLEGT licence, Ghana and the European Union stand at the forefront of responsible forestry,” Buah said. “Our shared achievements lay a solid foundation for greater impact in the years ahead.”
Asaase Broadcasting Company airs on Asaase 99.5 Accra, Asaase 98.5 Kumasi, Asaase 99.7 Tamale, Asaase 100.3 Cape Coast, AsaasePa 107.3 (Accra).
Affiliates: Bawku FM 101.5, Bead FM 99.9 (Bimbilla), Mining City Radio 89.5 (Tarkwa), Nandom FM 101.9, Nyatefe Radio 94.5 (Dzodze), Sissala Radio 96.3 (Tumu), Somuaa FM 89.9 (Gushegu), Stone City 90.7 (Ho) and Wale FM 106.9 (Walewale).
Listen online: asaaseradio.com, Sound Garden and TuneIn.
Follow us:
X: @asaaseradio995, @Asaase985ksi, @Asaase997tamale, @asaase1003, asaasepa1073
Instagram: asaaseradio99.5, asaase985ksi, asaase100.3, asaase99.7tamale, asaasepa107.3
LinkedIn: company/asaaseradio995. TikTok: @asaaseradio99.5
Facebook: asaase99.5, asaase985ksi, Asaase100.3, asaase99.7, AsaasePa107.3.
YouTube: AsaaseRadioXtra.
Join the conversation. Accra: call 020 000 9951/054 888 8995, WhatsApp 020 000 0995. Kumasi: call 059 415 7985 or call/WhatsApp 020 631 5260. Tamale: call/WhatsApp/SMS 053 554 6468. Cape Coast: call/WhatsApp 059 388 2652.
#AsaaseRadio
#AsaasePa
#TheVoiceofOurLand
