Accra: Ghana currently holds 447 active Social Responsibility Agreements (SRAs) for timber, collectively valued at GHS 4.52 million, according to an official from the Ghana Forestry Commission (FC). These agreements are designed to ensure that communities adjacent to forest areas benefit directly from timber harvesting activities, thereby supporting local development projects.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Bright Owusu Sekyere, Manager Systems and Data Reconciliation at the Timber Validation Department, revealed these figures during a project inception workshop for the Agence Fran§aise de D©veloppement (AFD) FC SRA project. This initiative aims to enhance the implementation of SRAs in Ghana. SRAs, which account for five percent of stumpage fees, represent the only direct financial benefit from timber logging that is collectively allocated to the affected communities.
In an interview, Mr. Sekyere emphasized the commission's responsibility in ensuring SRAs are signed prior to granting forestry licenses. He warned that companies failing to comply with this requirement risk having their licenses revoked. 'As a government agency, we are supposed to ensure that the SRA is signed. So we witness the signing of the SRA and ensure that there is compliance. So after signing, we must ensure that the companies are paying what is due to the communities,' he stated.
Legislative Instrument (LI) 2254, enacted in December 2017, provides the legal framework for the implementation and enforcement of SRAs. The successful implementation of SRAs involves collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including the Forestry Commission, timber companies, traditional authorities, SRA Committees, and beneficiary communities. SRAs are also integral to Ghana's Timber Legality Assurance System (GhLAS) under the FLEGT/VPA framework, with compliance necessary for obtaining a FLEGT licence.
The AFD - FC SRA project, valued at approximately 300,000 euros, is funded under the EU FLEGT VPA programme. It is being implemented in partnership with Civic Response, Rights and Advocacy Initiatives Network (RAIN), DEVNEST Systems, and the FC, which serves as the sector regulator.
Mr. Albert Katako, Head of Programmes at Civic Response, shared details of the one-year AFD - FC SRA project. He explained that the project aims to train FC officials and timber contractors on the legal and operational requirements for SRA implementation and to promote collaboration among stakeholders for monitoring, reporting, and resolving grievances related to SRA non-compliance. Additionally, the project seeks to support SRA Committees in understanding their mandate, improving community engagement, and enhancing transparency and accountability in the use of SRA resources. 'We intend to identify gaps and provide recommendations to strengthen the institutional framework and stakeholder coordination for effective SRA enforcement,' Mr. Katako added.