Forestry Commission holds forum ahead of the new timber licensing regime

In a major step towards enhancing legal compliance and sustainability in Ghana’s timber industry, the Forestry Commission has held a strategic forum with key players in the sector. The meeting comes ahead of the anticipated rollout of the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT) licensing system, which is set to begin on 30 June 2025.

The licensing initiative, established through Ghana’s Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Union, seeks to ensure that all timber, both for export and local use, is verified through robust legality assurance systems.

At the heart of the discussions were operational protocols, compliance expectations, and the potential economic and regulatory benefits the new system offers.

Dr Hugh C.A. Brown, Executive Secretary of the Forestry Commission, highlighted the strides made in digital transformation within the sector. He noted that technology has greatly improved data access and regulatory oversight, helping the commission track timber volumes, logging zones, and harvesting schedules in real time.

Industry representatives also voiced their perspectives during the forum. Alexandra Dadzie, President of the Ghana Timber Association, welcomed the initiative but called for improvements to some aspects of the licensing framework.

He urged the Commission to address concerns about the structure and clarity of certain regulatory committees, especially those involved in handling industry complaints.

He added that the President had proposed a review to empower the Timber Validation Committee to make timely decisions on complaints before forwarding them to the Minister, in a bid to streamline the process.

As the FLEGT licensing deadline approaches, both regulators and stakeholders are working to align legal, technical, and administrative frameworks to ensure the smooth implementation of the new system.