From Ghana Web

Ghana is to ratify a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Union (EU) to halt deforestation and illegal logging, and to improve governance in the forest sector by regulating the trade in timber and timber products.

Once agreed, the VPAs will ensure commitment and action from both parties to halt trade in illegal timber — notably with a license scheme to verify legality of timber exported to the EU.

The agreements also promote better enforcement of forest law and promote an inclusive approach involving civil society and the private sector.

When fully implemented, the VPAs will position Ghana as the first country in the world to issue Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licences with the EU.

This will ensure that only legally harvested timber is imported into the EU from countries agreeing to take part in this scheme.

Ms. Barbara Serwaa Asamoah, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources — at the seventh Joint Monitoring and Review Mechanisms meeting between the representatives of Ghana and the EU, said the progress so far made underscores the country’s commitment to meeting provisions of the VPAs, as well as the national forest and wildlife policy.

Read more at Ghana Web