By Ibrahim Zanya Salifu
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has inaugurated the newly constituted Timber Validation Committee, charging its members to uphold transparency, credibility, and accountability in Ghana’s timber industry.
Speaking at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Accra, the Minister underscored the critical role of the forestry sector as a pillar of Ghana’s economy, contributing jobs, foreign exchange, and environmental protection. He, however, cautioned that unsustainable practices had for years posed a threat to the nation’s forest resources and undermined Ghana’s reputation in the international timber trade.
Recalling the landmark Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) signed with the European Union in 2009, Hon. Buah reiterated Ghana’s commitment to ensuring that all timber exports are derived from legal sources and verified through internationally recognized standards.
Describing the Committee’s inauguration as a pivotal step toward safeguarding the integrity of Ghana’s timber legality assurance system, the Minister stressed: “Your work will not only impact our local industry but will also determine the trust and confidence of our international partners. The oath you have taken is a solemn commitment to duty.”
He highlighted Ghana’s recent achievement as the first African nation—and only the second globally after Indonesia—to issue a Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) license. The country’s first consignments of FLEGT-licensed timber products are scheduled to reach the European Union market on October 8, 2025.
The Timber Validation Committee will oversee timber product license applications, ensure compliance with legal frameworks, and make recommendations on the implementation of the FLEGT licensing system.
On behalf of members, Committee Chairman Hon. Fiifi Buckman pledged to discharge their mandate with professionalism, impartiality, and integrity. He emphasized that Ghana’s forests are not only vital for livelihoods, foreign exchange, and industrial raw materials but also a national heritage that must be preserved for future generations.
Hon. Buah assured the Committee of government’s full support, urging members to serve as a beacon of good governance and accountability in the forestry sector.
By Ibrahim Zanya Salifu || The Corporate Guardian
