Ghana, UK set to sign landmark forestry, timber trade agreement

Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Bole-Bamboi, has announced that Ghana and the United Kingdom have made significant progress towards the signing of the Ghana-United Kingdom Voluntary Partnership Agreement (GH-UK VPA), a landmark treaty expected to strengthen forest governance, promote sustainable timber trade, and support climate change mitigation efforts.

The Deputy Minister disclosed this following a bilateral meeting with Ms. Mary Creagh, Member of Parliament for Coventry East and the United Kingdom’s Minister for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

The meeting took place at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, on the sidelines of the London Climate Action Week.

According to Alhaji Sulemana, the engagement was aimed at drawing the attention of the UK government to the importance of concluding and signing the GH-UK VPA, an agreement designed to ensure that timber and timber products traded between the two countries are sourced legally and sustainably.

He explained that the agreement would play a crucial role in preserving Ghana’s forest resources by strengthening forest law enforcement, improving transparency in the timber industry, and encouraging responsible forest management practices.

The treaty is also expected to create greater market opportunities for Ghanaian timber exporters while enhancing the country’s reputation as a source of legally verified timber products.

Beyond the economic benefits, Alhaji Sulemana stressed that the agreement would contribute significantly to global efforts to combat climate change.

He noted that protecting forest cover remains a key strategy in reducing carbon emissions, preserving biodiversity, and safeguarding livelihoods that depend on forest resources.

“The discussions were very positive and productive,” the Deputy Minister indicated, adding that both Ghana and the United Kingdom reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in the forestry sector and agreed on the importance of signing the agreement.

He expressed optimism that the successful conclusion of the GH-UK VPA would mark another milestone in the longstanding relationship between Ghana and the United Kingdom, particularly in the areas of environmental sustainability, natural resource governance, and climate action.

The meeting formed part of Ghana’s broader participation in the London Climate Action Week, where global leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders gathered to discuss practical solutions to climate change and sustainable development challenges.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith