Ghana is poised to make history by becoming the first African country , and only the second globally, to issue a Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) license by June 30, 2025, according to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah.
This significant achievement highlights Ghana’s leadership in sustainable forestry and its continued commitment to promoting responsible timber trade practices across the globe. The announcement was made during a courtesy visit by the European Union Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, underscoring the decades-long partnership between the EU and Ghana in advancing sustainable forest governance.
For nearly two decades, Ghana has been a key player in the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the EU, and Buah proudly highlighted that the country has now fully established its forest legality assurance systems. The only remaining step, he noted, is the parliamentary ratification of additional Timber Utilization Contracts, which is expected to conclude after the Easter recess.
“Achieving FLEGT licensing is a major milestone, but we are also focused on building on this success with improved systems,” Buah explained, revealing plans to further strengthen Ghana’s Wood Tracking System and the Ghana Legality Assurance System through digital innovations and capacity-building programs.
Additionally, Buah called for increased support from the EU to advance Ghana’s “Tree for Life” reforestation campaign, emphasizing the need for technical expertise and climate finance to boost forest restoration efforts. The Minister also appealed for EU assistance in addressing the issue of illegal mining, particularly in enhancing enforcement, land reclamation, and the restoration of polluted water bodies.
Ambassador Razaaly commended Ghana’s progress and reaffirmed the EU’s ongoing commitment to supporting green economic growth, capacity building, and forest management in the country. With the EU accounting for about 14% of Ghana’s total trade in 2022, the impending FLEGT license is seen as a powerful signal to global markets that Ghanaian timber is both legally sourced and sustainably produced.
As Ghana and the EU continue their collaborative efforts, the announcement marks a monumental step toward setting a global example of responsible forestry and sustainable development.
