Accra: The Ghana Timber Millers Organisation has expressed concern over the increasing incidence of illegal logging, describing it as a menace that is undermining operations and threatening livelihoods in the sector. Speaking in an interview with The Ghanaian Times in Accra on Tuesday, the Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Dr Kwame Asamoah Adam, said the situation was forcing companies to scale down production, lay off workers, and struggle to meet financial obligations, raising concerns about the sustainability of the industry.
According to Ghana Web, registered companies operate under agreements with the Forestry Commission to harvest limited quantities of timber annually for both domestic use and export, but illegal operators frequently invade legally assigned concessions to steal logs. Dr Adam noted that these illegal operators often use force, sometimes even attacking trucks transporting logs on highways to seize them. The situation has escalated into violent confrontations, prompting some companies to invest heavily in private security while others rely on limited military support.
The Western Region has become a hotspot for illegal logging activities, leading to a near collapse of operations for some companies that are unable to access their concessions. This has resulted in companies not operating at full capacity, causing them to fall behind on worker payments, tax obligations, and bank loans. Some banks are now threatening to collapse affected companies due to these financial challenges.
Dr Adam further revealed that a significant portion of illegally harvested timber is exported to neighbouring Sahel countries like Mali and Chad, which deprives Ghana of revenue and weakens enforcement efforts. He also highlighted the alleged involvement of local communities and landowners who support illegal operators in exchange for immediate cash payments rather than long-term royalties from licensed companies.
In response, the Forestry Commission stated that it was intensifying measures to ensure compliance and curb illegal logging through its Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licensing system. Dr Richard Gyimah, Executive Director of the Timber Industry Development Division, disclosed that Ghana has issued about 500 FLEGT licences, covering timber exports valued at approximately £14.3 million, representing about 22,500 cubic metres exported mainly to EU markets.
Dr Gyimah explained that the FLEGT system, under Ghana's Voluntary Partnership Agreement with the EU, ensures that only legally sourced timber enters the European market. Exporters are required to comply with all legal requirements, from obtaining valid harvesting permits to meeting social responsibility obligations with forest fringe communities. He added that Ghana operates the Ghana Wood Tracking System, which monitors the entire supply chain from harvesting to export, and conducts field audits to verify operations on the ground.