Accra, Dec. 19, GNA- The Forestry Commission (FC) of Ghana has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Kingdom (UK)’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to promote forest governance.
Dr Hugh C.A.Brown, the Chief Executive of FC, signed on behalf of Ghana, while Mr. Christian Rogg, the British High Commissioner to Ghana, signed for the UK.
Under the partnership, the UK will provide in‑kind support aligned to Ghana’s priorities, including institutional reforms, leadership development, policy and regulatory coherence, law enforcement, and compliance.
Support will also be mobilized under the partnership to ensure that the timber licensing system maintains the credibility earned in the EU market and broadens the market to other international markets.
Dr Brown, speaking at the ceremony in Accra, said the FC would draw on support from the partnership to explore opportunities for payment for ecosystem services to derive additional value for government and local communities from the management of the resource.
“We have four years under this MoU to convert our shared ambition to outcomes by delivering healthier forests and stronger institutions.
“To realize this ambition, we must maintain the close multi-stakeholder collaboration that enabled us to reach the FLEGT licensing milestone earlier this year,” he said.
He said the UK’s support had played the key role for Ghana to be the first country in Africa and second globally to issue FLEGT licenses to the EU market.
Dr Brown underscored the importance of forests in offering potential for climate mitigation, ecosystem services, and sustainable finance.
He expressed concerns about the activities of illegal and irresponsible mining, leading to serious degradation in a number of the forest reserves, including water pollution with heavy metals and loss of biodiversity.
Mr Rogg said the partnership was to build a strong foundation between the two countries over the decades to protect and preserve the forests.
“We see forests as vital for Ghana’s biodiversity, for its resources, for jobs, for livelihoods, and also for the global climate stability.
“We therefore recognize that protecting Ghana’s forests is a common cause that unites us across our countries and across our institutions,” he said.
He called for strong governance and enforcement of the existing rules and regulations to deal with the challenges in forest management.
“We are confident that together we can ensure that Ghana’s forests remain a source of resilience and prosperity for generations to come,” he said.
Dr Richard Dua Nsenkyire,Managing Director, Samartex Company Limited, welcomed the partnership and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to sustainable forest management.
Mr Mustapha Seidu, Director, Nature and Development Foundation, commended the UK government for supporting civil society organizations to build their capacities to ensure responsible mining in the ecosystem.
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie