EU and Ghana explore collaboration beyond FLEGT
NANTES, France — Representatives from Ghana and the European Union met in June at the EU-Ghana Timber Trade and Investment Forum to explore the next stage of their partnership, following the full implementation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) and the start of issuance of FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance, and Trade) licenses. Held during the 18th edition of the Carrefour International du Bois, the forum focused on moving beyond forest governance to addressing deforestation free supply chains, green transition, sustainable investment and digitalization in forest-based sectors.
On 8th October 2025, Ghana became the first nation in Africa to issue FLEGT licenses, confirming that its timber exports are 100% legal and traceable. At the forum, Kwabena Akyeampong Boakye, Director of Timber Validation Department (TVD) of the Ghana Forestry Commission, stated that the focus is now shifting towards aligning its Legality Assurance System (GhLAS) with the requirements of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and increasing the market visibility of Ghana’s FLEGT-licensed wood products on the EU market.
The European Commission highlights that this new milestone paves the way for enhanced cooperation in the forest sector between Ghana and the EU, in a context where EU market requirements are increasingly driven by sustainability, legality and deforestation-free supply chains. Against this backdrop, the Global Gateway and the EU Bioeconomy Strategy could further strengthen private-sector investment and cooperation in climate-smart forestry, industrial processing capacities, digital technologies and skills development.
A central topic of the discussion was the financing of Ghana’s long-term forest plantation strategy, transitioning to Ghana Forest Landscape Restoration Strategy, which aims to establish 25,000 hectares of forest plantations, undertake 5,000 hectares of enrichment planting and distribute 5 million tree seedlings for planting within farms annually from 2016 to 2040. Representatives of the Ghana Forestry Commission stressed the urgent need for developing a national satellite-based plantation monitoring tool and for addressing funding constraints for long-term forest plantation and restoration efforts.
Dr. Richard Gyimah, the Executive Director of the Timber Industry Development Division of the Forestry Commission of Ghana highlighted the need for investment in Ghana’s timber industry, especially in the area of retooling in order to ensure maximum utilisation of timber resources and also, efficient business operating model which aims at net zero carbon emissions.
Dr. Sylvain Caurla, senior sector economist at the European Investment Bank, emphasized the bank’s growing engagement across the forestry sector and broader forest value chain.
"Our key priorities include climate action and environmental sustainability, alongside the agriculture and bioeconomy sectors, with a strong focus on forestry and the full value chain," Dr. Caurla stated.
He explained that the EIB supports a wide range of activities, including sustainable forest management, restoration of degraded forests, and the modernization of downstream wood-processing facilities while also extending to agroforestry systems, notably in key commodities such as cocoa, where sustainable land-use practices and value chain development are essential.
The bank's recent involvement in the region across the forest sector and its associated value chains includes a €150 million sovereign loan supporting forest restoration in Côte d’Ivoire, and investments in Ghana via a participation in the Land Degradation Neutrality Fund, supporting wood transformation.
The forum also highlighted the potential of digital technologies in Ghana’s plantation development. Dr. Jussi Rasinmäki, Head of AFRY Smart Forestry, presented Smart Forestry as a set of digital tools designed for accurate forest inventory and optimal operational management planning. According to Dr. Rasinmäki, these technologies can significantly reduce investment risk through improved confidence in long-term outcomes and reduce costs through more efficient planning and operations.
The forum illustrated the potential of building stronger business relations catalysed by the FLEGT VPA between Ghana and the EU, enabling private-sector participants to build connection and identify new opportunities for collaboration.
“The success of Ghana’s FLEGT licensing system demonstrates that strong governance, transparency and stakeholder engagement can deliver tangible results,” emphasized by Thais LinharesJuvenal, senior forestry officer at FAO, “building on this achievement, sustainable forest management, plantation development, digital innovation and strategic investment will be essential to secure reliable wood supply, setting the foundations of a forest-based bioeconomy leading to enhanced rural livelihoods and climate resilient societies”.
The forum was co-organized by FAO, Eticwood, ATIBT and Probos through the support of EU FLEGT VPA Programme, funded by the EU and implemented by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).