FLEGT Licenses to Ensure Legal Timber Export, Says Minister

Accra: Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, has announced that the Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licenses will ensure the legality of timber and other exports to meet international market standards.According to Ghana News Agency, the Minister's speech, delivered at the launch of the FLEGT License in Accra, highlighted the significance of forest law reforms that facilitate the export of artefacts. The FLEGT licensing scheme is a crucial element of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) between Ghana and the European Union (EU), which commenced in 2009. The license, issued by VPA partner countries like Ghana, certifies that timber and timber products for the EU market are legally sourced, making Ghana the first African country and second globally to issue such a license.Mr Buah emphasized Ghana's revised laws and robust contracting systems designed to guide the timber industry and ensure responsible trade. He praised stakeholders for their diligent work i n making the license system operational and stressed the importance of transparency and flexibility in explaining the process to industry players.The Minister remarked that the license represents an opportunity to expand markets, attract responsible investments, and elevate Ghanaian timber as a premium global product. He assured international partners of Ghana's commitment to responsible timber trade and socio-economic development, highlighting the nation's leadership in Africa and its readiness to collaborate on forest protection.Addressing illegal logging and mining, the Minister warned that such activities would face legal consequences, as they have severely impacted forests, water bodies, and farms, necessitating urgent and collective action.Dr Hugh C.A. Brown, the Acting Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, noted the collaboration with partners to establish a mechanism for tracing timber harvesting and trade. He credited the commitment of past and present staff for achieving quality standard s in the timber industry and pledged to maintain these standards as a source of industry pride.Mr Jonas Claes, the Deputy Head of EU Delegation to Ghana, expressed the EU's commitment to partnering with Ghana to enhance the timber industry, free from environmentally harmful practices. He recognized Ghana's leadership and the FLEGT license's role in facilitating trade and promoting sustainable forest management.During the event, five companies-Samatex Company Limited, Logs and Lumber Company Limited, JCM Company Limited, Miro Plantations, and West Coast Wooding Product Ghana Limited-were awarded the FLEGT license.