Sustainable timber trade success story : Ghana

Representatives from Ghana were invited by the Dutch government to a meeting today, on the sidelines of the COP 15 CITES conference in Doha, to share their experience in setting up a sustainable way of trading legally in timber, in the hopes that others may learn from their efforts.

Through a VPA, or Voluntary Partnership Agreement, in which they abide by the legal requirements of the partner country, Ghana will be able to trade with the EU and other markets that have "grown in purchasing sophistication".

The Ghanaians hope to provide conditions which encourage local investment in forest restoration, contribute to sustainable forest management, and improve on law enforcement of illegal activities.

They aim to alleviate poverty through their forestry sector by getting a realistic price for their timber, having abided by these rules.

They also hope to create a chain of custody, whereby the end user can trace the source of the trees exactly.

Ghana Forestry Commission
VPA detail
The Lacey Act