Ghana has officially secured European-approved export licenses for timber, certifying the legality of its timber products.

The historic agreement was formalised on November 6, 2024, in Accra, marking a significant milestone in the country’s commitment to sustainable forest management as first African country to secure that.

This achievement follows the successful conclusion of a meeting in Brussels of the Ghana-EU Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade (FLEGT).

The partnership brings together Ghanaian forest authorities, the private sector, civil society, and the European Commission to combat illegal logging and ensure timber exports meet rigorous sustainability standards.

In an interview with JoyNews, Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, highlighted the importance of the agreement for the country’s timber industry.

Abu Jinapor also emphasised that the agreement would play a crucial role in reducing deforestation and promoting environmental sustainability in Ghana.

“The EU is one of the most important markets for timber and related products. With this milestone, Ghana is now able to export timber to Europe under the FLEGT licensing system, guaranteeing that all timber products are legally sourced,” he said.

“We now have full traceability of timber—its source, legality, and sustainability. This will greatly help us in our mission to halt deforestation and protect our forests,” he added.

EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Ramiandrasoa Razaaly, praised the initiative as a key step towards ensuring the long-term sustainability of Ghana’s forests. He stated, “This agreement is vital for sustainable forest management. It ensures that timber exported to Europe is legally sourced, processed, and traded.”