Ghana is set to take a major step in forest protection and sustainable resource management with the symbolic signing on to the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT) initiative.
The launch will be performed this morning at 10am by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Honourable Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, at the premises of the Forestry Commission Ghana.
The FLEGT initiative, backed by the European Union, is aimed at combating illegal logging while promoting sustainable forest management. It is designed to strengthen governance and law enforcement, improve transparency and accountability, and ensure that only legally harvested timber enters international trade.
Through its participation, Ghana will commit to key measures such as establishing timber legality assurance systems, engaging in Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) with timber-importing markets, and advancing sustainable forestry practices that reduce deforestation.
The move emphasises Ghana’s determination to safeguard its forests while opening opportunities for legal timber trade with the European Union and other global markets.
The signing ceremony will mark the beginning of Ghana’s formal alignment with FLEGT principles, positioning the country as a regional leader in the promotion of responsible forestry and environmental protection.
By: Victor Lavor
