The prime responsibility of the committee is to make sure that all the timber products being exported from Ghana are from a genuine source and have the highest verification rate.
The 11-member committee, chaired by Hon. Fiifi Buckman, who is an attorney-at-law, consists of representation from various stakeholders like the Forestry Commission, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Timber Trade and Industry Association, and civil society.
Among the tasks of the committee are to ensure legality of timber products, ensuring accountability and transparency, and providing room for sustainable development in the timber sector.
Committee's Mandate and Government Support
The committee has been mandated to give oversight to the processing of the application for licensing timber products to local and international markets and ensuring compliance with relevant legal guidelines, and advising on the implementation of the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licensing scheme.
The government has assured provision of necessary support and resources to enable the work of the committee to be effectively and efficiently carried out.
Conservation of Ghana's Forest Legacy
Minister Armah-Kofi Buah emphasized the value of Ghana's forest as a national asset, providing livelihoods, foreign exchange earnings, and industrial raw material.
He reemphasized that the forests should be conserved while accompaniment a vibrant timber industry, with sustainable forest management practices that aim to balance economic development with conservation.
The Minister also put Ghana's latest achievement of exporting timber to the European Union with its very first FLEGT license in focus, which makes the country the first in Africa and second in the world, behind Indonesia, to do so.
Committee's Promise
Chairman Hon. Fiifi Buckman pledged that the committee would pursue its mandate professionally, impartially, and with complete dedication.
He emphasized the importance of protecting Ghana's forest heritage while promoting sustainable forest management.
Committee members have pledged to maintain integrity, transparency, and accountability in forestry.
The creation of the Timber Validation Committee is a milestone towards strengthening forest management and timber trade integrity in Ghana. Through the initiative of the committee, the country aims to have its timber business operated sustainably, responsibly, and under international standards.
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