"Ghana set to issue first FLEGT license by June 30" - Forestry Commission CEO

Ghana is inching closer to a historic milestone in forest governance as the country prepares to issue its first Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) license by June 30, 2025, marking the end of a 15-year journey under the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Union (EU).

Dr. Hugh C. A. Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, made the announcement during a stakeholder engagement on the implementation of FLEGT licensing and the role of industry in ensuring a smooth transition, held in Accra on Wednesday.

“This journey began with the signing of the VPA with the EU—an initiative aimed at bringing greater transparency and good governance to the timber industry, from the administration of timber rights to processing,” Dr. Brown stated.

He explained that the agreement was a strategic move toward sustainable forest management and equitable benefit-sharing, especially for local communities whose livelihoods were previously threatened by widespread illegal logging.

According to Dr. Brown, the country has made substantial progress over the years.

"We’ve developed and implemented forest management plans, introduced an effective chain-of-custody system to track timber from source to market, and launched an electronic verification system that allows near real-time monitoring,” he noted.

A major upgrade has also been the transformation of the Ghana Wood Tracking System (GWTS) into the GWTS Division Support System (GWTS-DSS), which enhances regulatory oversight through reliable data.

"With a click of a button, we can now know how much volume of timber has been harvested, how close we are to the Annual Allowable Cut (AAC), and who is harvesting where,” Dr. Brown said.

“This has significantly improved our ability to regulate the sector effectively.”

The Forestry Commission boss emphasized that Ghana's multi-stakeholder approach has been key to resolving long-standing industry issues.

"We’ve created platforms that allow civil society, industry players, and government to engage dispassionately and collaboratively. Civil society has become very active, and that has strengthened the process,” he said.

Dr. Brown also highlighted the introduction of an independent monitor—an external entity that periodically assesses the system to ensure compliance with standards—as a key innovation that has earned the confidence of donors and international partners.

Despite acknowledging a few outstanding issues, he expressed confidence that Ghana will meet the June 30 deadline.

"We believe that this time, there will be no extension. We are hopeful and encouraged by the current momentum. We pray that you all help us make this a reality,” he urged participants.

The issuance of the FLEGT license will make Ghana the first African country and second globally, after Indonesia, to reach this critical stage in forest governance—a significant boost for sustainable trade in legal timber with the EU and other international markets.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith