Ghana has signed an Aide Mémoire with the European Union confirming it will begin FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) licensing on 8 October 2025, making the country the first in Africa and the second globally to place FLEGT-licensed timber on the EU market. The move caps a 16-year reform effort to strengthen forest governance, legality, and traceability.
Speaking at the signing, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah hailed the milestone as proof of “good governance anchored in the rule of law,” noting Ghana has overhauled its legal framework, improved transparency in timber allocation, rolled out robust wood-tracking and legality assurance systems, and trained the industry to comply.
Ghana officially launched live operations of its FLEGT licensing system on 15 August 2025. From 8 October, all Ghanaian timber and timber products covered by an FLEGT licence will receive automatic access to EU markets, Minister Buah and EU Ambassador Irchad Razaaly confirmed.
Ambassador Razaaly stressed the business benefits: the sustainability and traceability requirements are designed “to give an edge to Ghanaian exporters,” guaranteeing unfettered access to a market of 450 million citizens. He also underlined the broad political backing in Europe required to align the licensing start date and praised Ghana’s sustained technical work and stakeholder engagement.
Minister Buah thanked Ghana’s technical teams, civil society, and industry, as well as the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, for long-term support. Looking ahead, he invited partners to back the “Tree for Life” Reforestation Initiative and said Ghana aims to increase commercial tree planting to reduce pressure on natural forests, with a long-term goal that exports to the EU be drawn from commercial plantations.
Both parties pledged continued cooperation through the joint monitoring and review mechanism to ensure smooth implementation of the licensing regime and readiness for emerging global rules, including the EU Deforestation Regulation.
What FLEGT licensing means (at a glance)
- Automatic EU entry: FLEGT-licensed Ghanaian timber and products are pre-cleared for the EU market.
- Legality assurance: Every licensed shipment is backed by end-to-end wood tracking and verified legal compliance.
- Competitiveness: Clear traceability reduces compliance friction for buyers and strengthens Ghana’s market position.
- Governance dividend: Incentivises lawful harvesting, transparency, and community participation in forest management.
By Peter Quao Adattor
