The government has signed a deal with the European Union to make Ghana the first African country to issue Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licenses, with June 30, 2025, set as the date for the commencement of the agreement.The deal, which was signed and unveiled at the 12th session of the Ghana-EU Joint Monitoring Review Mechanism of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) in Accra on Wednesday, November 6,2024 marks a significant milestone in the sustainable management of Ghana's timber resources.The signing of the FLEGT agreement, which signifies the conclusion of years of exhaustive and comprehensive stakeholder engagements, not only confirms Ghana's readiness to trade and promote legal timber products but also affirms the country's openness to serve as a model for other countries that want to pursue the path towards issuing FLEGT licenses.In his remarks, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon.
Samuel A.
Jinapor, MP commended all the persons and organizations whose commitment and dedication culminated in the confirmation of Ghana as the first country in the world to issue FLEGT licenses.Hon.
Jinapor described the development as the outcome of productive discussions and deliberations geared towards the transparent, accountable, and sustainable management of the country's forest resources.Highlighting key aspects of the Aide Memoir, the Minister stated that the document provides an effective roadmap and guide for the management of the country's forest reserves and also provides the foundation for the growth of Ghana's economy through the trade of legal timber products.