The coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working in the forestry sector, known as Forest Watch Ghana, has raised alarms regarding the state of Ghana's timber trade and forest resources due to the government's lack of action on the implementation of the legal framework for legal timber trade.
The warning comes amidst ongoing challenges in enforcing environmental protection laws and rampant illegal activities in the country's forests.
At a press conference on October 2, 2024, representatives from Forest Watch Ghana highlighted the implications of failing to ratify essential timber permits and leases that are crucial for maintaining access to the European Union (EU) market.
The organization recalled the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) established between Ghana and the EU in 2009, aimed at promoting sustainable management of timber resources.