The Forestry Commission of Ghana has strengthened forest governance through a renewed partnership with the United Kingdom, following the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments.
The agreement marks a significant step in deepening cooperation on forest legality, climate resilience and responsible forest management, while reaffirming the Forestry Commission’s central role in protecting forest resources and promoting sustainable trade and livelihoods.
The signing ceremony brought together senior officials of the Forestry Commission, representatives of the UK Government, private sector actors, civil society organisations and development partners, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainable forestry and accountable forest-based trade.
In a welcome address, the Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Dr Hugh C.A. Brown, highlighted the more than two-decade-long partnership between Ghana and the UK in forest law enforcement, governance and trade. He noted that sustained UK support in systems development, policy reforms and stakeholder engagement had enabled Ghana to become the first African country, and the second globally, to issue Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licences for timber exports to the European Union.
Dr Brown underscored the importance of forests to climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, water protection and livelihoods, while acknowledging increasing threats from illegal mining and forest degradation. He said the renewed UK support would help strengthen enforcement, improve governance and advance sustainable financing mechanisms, including payments for ecosystem services.
Representing the private sector, the Managing Director of Samartex Company Limited and member of the Forestry Commission Board, Dr Richard Dua Nsenkyire, praised the collaboration for enhancing transparency through electronic timber tracking and verification systems. He described the FLEGT licensing milestone as transformational for the industry and expressed optimism about expanded access to international markets, including the UK.
Civil society groups also welcomed the agreement. Mr Mustapha Seidu, Director of the Nature and Development Foundation, emphasised the importance of capacity building, independent monitoring and community engagement, noting that UK support had strengthened civil society oversight in forest governance.
British High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Christian Rogg, described the MoU as a milestone in an evolving partnership, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to tackling illegal mining, strengthening enforcement and supporting community-centred forest management.
The MoU was formally signed by Dr Brown for Ghana and Mr Rogg for the United Kingdom, ushering in a new phase of collaboration aimed at healthier forests, stronger institutions and sustainable livelihoods.