London: The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, held bilateral talks with the United Kingdom's Minister for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Mary Creagh, to enhance cooperation in forest governance and sustainable timber trade.
According to Ghana Web, the meeting took place at Kew Gardens in London during the London Climate Action Week (LCAW) on June 23, 2026. Discussions focused on the Ghana-UK Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) implementation, reviewing progress made under this framework and exploring the next steps for enhanced collaboration.
The two ministers examined strategies to promote legality, transparency, and sustainability in Ghana's timber supply chain. They reaffirmed their commitment to responsible forest management and climate action. The engagement allowed the officials to assess achievements under the VPA process and identify areas for deeper cooperation to support sustainable timber production and trade.
This meeting is part of Ghana's broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships on forest governance, climate-related trade, and sustainable forest resource management. Ghana and the United Kingdom have maintained a longstanding partnership under the VPA framework, ensuring that timber exported to international markets is legally sourced while supporting improved forest governance and environmental sustainability.