Ghana Strengthens Timber Trade Oversight

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has inaugurated the newly constituted Timber Validation Committee, charging its members to uphold transparency, credibility, and accountability in Ghana’s timber industry.
Speaking at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Accra, the Minister emphasized that the forestry sector remains a pillar of Ghana’s economy, providing jobs, foreign exchange, and environmental sustainability, but warned that unsustainable practices had long threatened both the country’s forest resources and its timber export reputation.
He recalled the landmark signing of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Union in 2009, which commits Ghana to ensuring that all timber exports originate from legal sources and meet international verification standards.
Hon. Buah described the Committee’s inauguration as a crucial step toward safeguarding the integrity of Ghana’s timber legality assurance system. “Your work will not only impact our local industry but will also determine the trust and confidence of our international partners. The oath you have taken is a solemn commitment to duty,” he stressed.
The Minister highlighted Ghana’s recent milestone as the first African country, and only the second in the world after Indonesia, to issue a Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) license. The first consignments of timber products with the license are expected to reach the European Union market on October 8, 2025.
The Timber Validation Committee is mandated to oversee timber product license applications, ensure compliance with legal frameworks, and make recommendations regarding the implementation of the FLEGT licensing system.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Fiifi Buckman, on behalf of members, pledged to carry out their mandate with professionalism, impartiality, and integrity. He noted that Ghana’s forests are not only a source of livelihoods, foreign exchange, and industrial raw materials but also a cherished national heritage that must be preserved for future generations.
Hon. Buah assured the Committee of government’s support, urging them to operate as a beacon of good governance and accountability in the forestry sector.