The Forestry Commission (FC) has hosted a delegation from Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Water and Forests (MINEF) for a week-long knowledge-sharing programme on the implementation of the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA).
The programme focused on Ghana’s experience in forest governance, timber legality, traceability and sustainable forest management, including the country’s 16-year journey in developing and operationalising its FLEGT-VPA system.
The delegation received presentations on Ghana’s Timber Legality Assurance System (GhLAS), timber verification and traceability, field audits, timber control systems and FLEGT licensing.
The Forestry Commission also highlighted the role of civil society organisations in promoting transparency, independent forest monitoring, stakeholder participation and community engagement in the FLEGT process.
Speaking on behalf of the Ivorian delegation, Madame Zouzou épouse Mailly Elvire-Joëlle, Chief of Staff at MINEF, said Côte d’Ivoire regarded Ghana’s progress in forest preservation and timber traceability as an important reference point.
She said the delegation was particularly interested in learning about the mechanisms and institutional arrangements that had enabled Ghana to advance its FLEGT licensing system.
The Ivorian delegation also shared its own progress, including the introduction of a timber traceability system in 2021 and stakeholder engagements towards implementing FLEGT licensing.
The FC said the engagement would strengthen cooperation and knowledge exchange between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire on forest governance and timber legality.
