Ghana gets FLEGT Licence - Export of timber to EU market begins June 2025

Effective June 30, 2025, Ghana will start issuing the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licences, making it the first African country to achieve that feat. 

The feat was chalked up after the government signed a deal with the EU last Wednesday paving the way for the commencement of the legal export of timber to the European market.

The deal was signed and unveiled at the 12th session of the Ghana-EU Joint Monitoring Review Mechanism of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) in Accra, marking a significant milestone in the sustainable management of Ghana’s timber resources.

Milestone

FLEGT licence is an export licence issued by a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) partner country for timber or timber products destined for the EU market.

The licence certifies that the timber or timber products exported under that licence are legal.

The 12th session of the Joint Monitoring and Review Mechanism was hosted by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

The JMRM was co-chaired by the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel A. Jinapor, and the EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly.

The parties reviewed progress in relation to the remaining steps identified in the Joint Action Plan towards the start of FLEGT Licensing.

Particular attention was paid to the ratification by Parliament of the conversion of a first batch of extant leases and permits, opening the way for the conversion of the totality of extant leases.  

The parties confirmed that all milestones had been met by Ghana and FLEGT licensing could start.

At a signing ceremony, Mr Jinapor explained that Ghana’s FLEGT achievement was a significant step in the country’s commitment to trade in legal timber and wood products, combatting illegal logging and promoting good forest governance.

He said the issuance of FLEGT licences would boost trade in legal timber products, promote sustainable forest management and contribute to the country's socio-economic development. 

He added that as Ghana became the first African country and second globally, after Indonesia to issue FLEGT licences, the achievement sets a model for other countries to follow.

Details

Mr Jinapor explained that FLEGT licensing was not only about controlling illegal timber trade, but also about creating opportunities to modernise timber operations, enhance timber value chains, create sustainable jobs, and generate social benefits such as payments to communities through social responsibility agreements.

He said it was also about laying a firm foundation for sustainable forest management.

“We have set  June 30, 2025, to land the first consignment of FLEGT licensed and labelled timber to the EU. I look forward to this as Ghana joins Indonesia to trade in FLEGT licence timber on the EU market. "Ghana is committed to fostering an environment that promotes sustainable practices, enhances livelihoods, and safeguards our natural resources for future generations,” he said.

For his part, the EU Ambassador commended Ghana for going through the rigorous process that had culminated in the readiness to start the issuance of the FLEGT licences. 

He said the significant milestone underscored the shared vision between Ghana and the EU on legal logging and trade in timber and wood products.

Mr Razaaly added that the FLEGT licence represented a major step forward, built on trust and a solid partnership between the EU and Ghana.

He said the partnership demonstrated the power of international cooperation and was a stepping stone for better governance and sustainable forest management.

"The EU and its Member States have accompanied Ghana on this journey since 2009 and we are particularly happy today to see the fruits of this remarkable cooperation.  This is not the end of the VPA road.

The work will continue and we look forward to raising our ambition to increase trade in legal timber products for the mutual benefit while tackling deforestation and biodiversity loss” he added.

The Coordinator of Forest Watch, Albert Katako, said Ghana's readiness to issue FLEGT licences was a testament to the country's dedication to responsible forestry practices.

"We hope that other partners will follow this model and the EU and Ghana's exemplary leadership in promoting sustainable forest management and combating illegal logging," he said.

The Deputy Director of A Rocha Ghana, Daryl Bosu, said the collective commitment and diligence of stakeholders could sustain the forests for the benefit of present and future generations.