The launching ceremony follows the successful go-live of Ghana’s FLEGT license system on Friday, August 15 2025, marking the beginning of verified, legal timber exports.

The launch marks the culmination of about 16 years of reform, collaboration and investment across Ghana’s forest sector, including the ratification of 131 Timber Utilisation Contracts (TUCs) by Parliament last month, the final regulatory hurdle that cleared the way for implementation.

A FLEGT licence certifies that timber and timber-related products exported to the European Union (EU) are legally harvested and processed in accordance with Ghanaian laws. Products covered by a valid licence automatically comply with the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), ensuring seamless access to the EU market while eliminating the risk of illegal timber trade.

More than 350 industry operators have been trained in the licensing process, ensuring smooth transactions for international buyers.

This major roll out also positions Ghana to meet broader international obligations, including compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation and commitments under global climate change frameworks. It further affirms Ghana’s readiness to supply FLEGT-licensed timber to the EU, eliminating additional due diligence for buyers and strengthening Ghana’s position as a frontrunner in sustainable forest governance.

Issued by:

Forestry Commission and the European Union in Ghana

Accra.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Abdul-Kudus Husein

Press and Information Officer

European Union in Ghana 

Abdul-Kudus.HUSEIN@eeas.europa.eu 

+233 (0) 20 188 9118

Joyce Ofori Kwafo 

Manager, Corporate Affairs and Media Relations

Forestry Commission 

+233 244643780 

Tel: 233 (0) 302 401 210233/ (0) 302 401 210

Email: info@fcghana.org

Website: www.fcghana.org

Notes to editors 

In November 2009, Ghana became the first timber-producing country to sign a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA or Agreement) with the European Union (EU). The Agreement entered into force on 1 December 2009. 

Under the VPA, Ghana commits to developing a timber legality assurance system so it can issue verified legal timber products with FLEGT licences. 

A FLEGT licence is an export licence issued by a VPA partner country for timber or timber products destined for the EU market. The licence certifies that the timber or timber products exported under that licence are legal. Timber and timber products covered by valid FLEGT licences automatically meet the requirements of the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR). 

The EUTR prohibits the placing onto the EU market of illegally harvested timber and timber products derived from such timber. It requires operators who place timber or timber products on the market for the first time to exercise due diligence to make sure that timber and timber products are legal. FLEGT licensed timber will not be subject to due diligence checks. 

Once Ghana’s timber legality assurance system is operational, Ghana commits to export to the EU only FLEGT-licensed timber products. The EU commits to allow imports of FLEGT-licensed timber from Ghana to enter the EU market without due diligence checks. 

Ghana's representation on the Joint Monitoring and Review Mechanism, the committee responsible for overseeing the implementation of the agreement, include members from government agencies, the private sector, and civil society organizations.