In a step towards addressing the growing challenges of illegal logging and timber trafficking in Ghana, a National Stakeholders Workshop was held on October 9, 2024, in Accra.

Organized by A Rocha Ghana in collaboration with civil society partners ORGIIS, COMPAD Ghana, and The Resource Foundation, the workshop brought together various stakeholders to discuss strategies aimed at monitoring and combating illegal timber activities across the country.

The initiative forms part of the broader Transboundary Monitoring of Timber Trafficking in Ghana project, which is being implemented under the USFS Anti-Timber Trafficking Project in partnership with Ghana’s Forestry Commission, specifically the Timber Industries Development Division (TIDD).

The project aims to develop a robust third-party monitoring framework that empowers civil society organizations (CSOs) and local communities to actively participate in combating illegal timber trade along the country’s supply chain.

Dr. Seth Appiah Kubi, National Director for A Rocha Ghana, emphasized the critical nature of the project during his address at the workshop, stating: “Illegal timber trade through illegal logging is a major drain on the economy. The challenge lies in combating it because it often occurs alongside legal logging, making it difficult to distinguish between the two.”

Dr. Appiah Kubi further noted that utilizing technology to trace the origins of timber would be key to making this distinction.

“We are losing a lot as a nation because the revenue from illegal logging doesn’t end up in state coffers. Timber is an exhaustible resource, and illegal activities like these mean no protocols are followed. If this continues, we risk losing our forests and the resources they provide,” he warned.

The project is being implemented in four regions: Upper East, Upper West, Bono, and Western North.

Key activities include community awareness campaigns, radio jingles in local languages, and talk shows to educate the public about the dangers of illegal logging.

CSO partners have also received training on the use of advanced tools like the SMART app and the Xyloris Pocket Wood ID, which are essential for monitoring and reporting timber infractions in real-time.

The primary aim of the workshop was to share findings from field monitoring activities conducted as part of the project.

These findings gathered through community involvement and technological tools, are intended to influence policy discussions and encourage stronger enforcement of regulations by the Forestry Commission and other relevant stakeholders.

Participants discussed the critical role CSOs play in combating illegal timber trade, especially given their wide geographical coverage and established networks.

These organizations, along with local communities, are key in providing timely and reliable data on illegal logging activities, ensuring a steady flow of evidence that can drive accountability.

As the project moves forward, the aim is to ensure that the third-party monitoring system becomes a permanent feature in Ghana’s forestry sector.

AM/KA

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