Ghana has announced that it will officially begin exporting Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT)-licensed timber to the European Union on October 8, 2025. This milestone follows a 16-year effort to strengthen forest governance, ensure timber legality, and promote sustainable trade practices. With this achievement, Ghana becomes the first African nation and the second globally, after Indonesia, to implement the FLEGT licensing scheme.
The announcement was made by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, during the 13th Session of the Joint Monitoring and Review Mechanism between the Government of Ghana and the European Union. The minister highlighted the country’s sweeping reforms, including updated forestry laws, modern wood-tracking systems, industry training, and extensive community engagement, all designed to ensure full traceability and legal compliance of exported timber.
Armah-Kofi Buah expressed gratitude to technical partners, civil society organizations, and international stakeholders such as the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for their critical support. He also commended EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, for his leadership in driving the process. Looking ahead, the minister called on the Forestry Commission to intensify reforestation, emphasizing President John Mahama’s “Tree for Life” Initiative, which seeks to restore degraded lands and expand commercial tree plantations.
EU Ambassador Irchad Razaaly hailed Ghana’s determination, describing the October launch as the result of “a long chain of commitment, responsibility, and political support” between Ghana and the EU. He noted that FLEGT licensing will give Ghanaian timber unrestricted access to the EU’s 450 million consumer market, offering significant opportunities for economic growth while ensuring sustainability.
With this breakthrough, Ghana strengthens its global reputation as a leader in sustainable forest management, opening new pathways for trade, investment, job creation, and environmental conservation. The landmark initiative is expected to enhance Ghana’s export earnings while safeguarding its forests for future generations.
Source: Citi newsroom