EU and Ghana explore collaboration beyond FLEGT

Representatives from Ghana and the European Union met in June at the EU-Ghana Timber Trade and Investment Forum to explore the next stage of their partnership, following the full implementation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) and the start of issuance of FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade) licenses. Held during the 18^th edition of the Carrefour International du Bois, the forum focused on moving beyond forest governance to addressing deforestation free supply chains, green transition, sustainable investment and digitalization in forest-based sectors.

A central topic of the discussion was the financing of Ghana’s long-term forest plantation strategy, transitioning to Ghana Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy, which aims to establish 25,000 hectares of forest plantations, undertake 5,000 hectares of enrichment planting and distribute 5 million tree seedlings for planting within farms annually from 2016 to 2040. Representatives of the Ghana Forestry Commission stressed the urgent need for developing a national satellite-based plantation monitoring tool and for addressing funding constraints for long-term forest plantation and restoration efforts.

The forum was co-organized by FAO, Eticwood, ATIBT and Probos through the support of EU FLEGT VPA Programme, funded by the EU and implemented by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).  

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Ghana  first nation in Africa to issue FLEGT licenses

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