During its third meeting of the Fourth Session of the Eighth Parliament of the Fourth Republic, the Parliament of Ghana ratified eleven Timber Utilisation Contracts (TUCs) to regulate timber exploitation.
These contracts are pivotal for issuing Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Licences, which enable Ghana to export timber and timber products to the European market.
This approval positions Ghana as the first African country and the second globally, after Indonesia, to issue FLEGT Licenses.
The TUCs were converted from existing timber concessions and permits as mandated by Act 547, which requires all timber harvesting to be conducted under TUCs.
This move marks a significant policy reform to establish a competitive and sustainable system for allocating Ghana’s timber resources.
The ratification aligns with Ghana’s obligations under the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the EU, supporting efforts to combat deforestation, enhance environmental governance, and contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Click here to read the statement by the Ministry of Lands.
