Nantes: Ghana and the European Union have signalled a new phase of cooperation in the forest-based sector following Ghana's landmark achievement of becoming the first African country to issue Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licences and only the second worldwide to do so.
According to Ghana Web, the discussion took centre stage at the EU-Ghana Timber Trade and Investment Forum, held during the Carrefour International du Bois 2026 in Nantes, Europe's largest wood trade fair. The forum brought together policymakers, financiers, forestry experts, and private-sector representatives to explore opportunities for trade, investment, digital innovation, and sustainable industrial development in the post-FLEGT licensing era.
Opening the event, Kwabena Akyeampong Boakye, Director of the Timber Validation Department of Ghana's Forestry Commission, highlighted the significance of Ghana's achievement after 16 years of partnership with the European Union under the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreement. Boakye emphasized that the FLEGT licensing has made Ghana's timber trade with the EU seamless and incident-free, enhancing confidence among European buyers.
Boakye also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the credibility and transparency of Ghana's Timber Legality Assurance System (GhLAS), which includes the development of the Timber Validation Committee, capacity building for Forestry Commission staff and industry operators, and assessing alignment with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). He stressed the importance of assuring that all FLEGT-licensed timber complies with national laws.
On behalf of the European Commission's Directorate-General for International Partnerships, Tilia Guerin-Calmettes noted that Ghana's achievement opens the door to broader cooperation in sectors such as climate action, trade, and industrial development. She highlighted that European demand increasingly favors sustainability and deforestation-free supply chains, presenting new opportunities for countries with strong governance and responsible forest management.
A high-level panel discussion explored practical avenues for future collaboration, with representatives from Ghana's Forestry Commission outlining ambitions to expand plantation development, accelerate forest restoration, and modernize timber processing. European experts discussed how green finance and digital forestry technologies could support Ghana's sustainable forestry goals.
The forum underscored Ghana's ongoing implementation of its Forest Plantation Strategy (2016-2040), which promotes large-scale plantation development through partnerships with communities, investors, and development partners. Participants noted that European expertise in plantation management and digital solutions could help accelerate the strategy's implementation.
Organisers aimed to increase the visibility of Ghana's FLEGT-licensed timber products, promote trade and investment opportunities, and strengthen partnerships between Ghanaian and European forest-based industries. With EU support, a 13-member Ghanaian delegation engaged with European importers, investors, and industry stakeholders to promote Ghana's FLEGT-licensed timber products.