We must take better care of our forests
After 16 years of preparation, Ghana has made history as the first African country and second, only to Indonesia, to trade in timber and timber products under the new European Union (EU) Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licensing regime.
This milestone was achieved on August 18, when the Forestry Commission officially issued six certificates to five companies to export timber and timber products to EU markets.
The acting Chief Justice, Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, presented the certificates to Samartex Timber and Plywood Co. Ltd, Logs and Lumber Ltd, JCM Company Ltd, Mere Plantations Ltd, and West Coast Wooden Products Ghana Ltd.
This achievement marks the end of a 16-year journey, and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all stakeholders involved.
The FLEGT licence is a document issued by timber-producing countries that have ratified a voluntary partnership agreement (VPA) with the EU.
It confirms that the shipment of timber or timber products has been undertaken under the relevant laws of the country of harvest.
The licence ensures that timber exported to the EU by partner countries is harvested legally and responsibly, thereby promoting sustainable forest management.
The Daily Graphic commends all stakeholders, including past and present government officials, Parliament, the Forestry Commission, civil society organisations (CSOs), and development partners, for their role in achieving this milestone.
The FLEGT licence will help eliminate the risk of trading in illegal timber products in EU markets, and it will also promote environmentally sound practices in the forestry sector.
However, despite this achievement, the country still faces significant challenges in the forestry sector. Illegal logging and mining activities continue to destroy forest reserves and biological diversity ecosystems.
It is estimated that over 5,200 hectares of forest reserves have been destroyed by illegal miners, and the situation is worsening due to indiscriminate tree felling by illegal loggers.
The Daily Graphic calls for the application of stringent measures to curb these activities and protect the country's forest resources.
The government must adopt strategic investment innovations and systems that would improve surveillance in the forestry sector.
The pledge by the EU Delegation in Ghana to support the country in its FLEGT licensing regime is a welcome development.
The EU's commitment to providing IT equipment worth €400,000 for the Forestry Commission and its offices to beef up monitoring systems is a step in the right direction.
Additionally, the EU's plan to provide an additional €37 million towards the improved management and conservation of natural resources is a significant boost to the forestry sector.
The FLEGT licence regime presents an opportunity for operators in the timber value chain to conduct their business in accordance with the requirements of the Ghana Legality Assurance System (GHLAS).
The GHLAS was established to ensure that timber harvested within the country conforms to the legality, traceability, and sustainable forest management standards set out in the national forest laws.
The country's acquisition of the FLEGT licence is a significant milestone that demonstrates the country's commitment to sustainable forest management.
However, more needs to be done to address the challenges facing the forestry sector.
The government must take bold steps to curb illegal logging and mining activities, and prioritise strategic investment innovations and systems that would improve surveillance in the sector.
The Daily Graphic urges all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the FLEGT licence regime is implemented effectively and that the country's forest resources are protected for future generations.
With the support of the EU and other development partners, Ghana can achieve sustainable forest management and promote environmentally sound practices in its forests.
The FLEGT licence regime is a game-changer for the forestry sector, and it presents an opportunity for the country to promote sustainable forest management and environmentally sound practices.
The Daily Graphic commends the government and all stakeholders for their hard work and dedication to achieving this milestone.
We look forward to seeing the positive impact of the FLEGT licensing regime on the country’s forestry sector.
