“Hon. Buah Charges Timber Committee to Uphold Transparency and Accountability”

Story by Fada Amakye

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has charged the newly constituted Timber Validation Committee to uphold transparency, credibility, and accountability in Ghana’s timber industry. The Committee’s inauguration marks a crucial step toward safeguarding the integrity of Ghana’s timber legality assurance system.

The Committee will oversee timber product license applications, ensuring compliance with legal frameworks, and implement the FLEGT licensing system to guarantee the legality of Ghana’s timber exports. By doing so, the Committee will promote sustainability and preserve Ghana’s forest resources for future generations.

Ghana has recently achieved a significant milestone, becoming the first African country and second in the world to issue a FLEGT license. The first consignments of timber products with the license are expected to reach the European Union market on October 8, 2025.

The Minister assured the Committee of government support, urging them to operate with professionalism, impartiality, and integrity. The Chairman of the Committee,

Hon. Fiifi Buckman, pledged to carry out their mandate with dedication, recognizing the importance of Ghana’s forests as a national heritage and source of livelihoods.

With government backing and a commitment to transparency, the Committee is poised to make a positive impact on Ghana’s timber industry.