Forest Watch Ghana (FWG), a coalition with over 40 Civil Society Organizations, advocating for the rights of Forest-dependent communities in Ghana, has pledged their support to government in protecting timber resources and forest reserves from illegal activities.
To the group, the government’s failure to implement laws on sustainable forest management has led to our forest becoming playgrounds for illegal activities, popularly known as “galamsey.”
Speaking at a news conference, a Member at Forest Watch Ghana, Ms Doreen Asumeng Yeboah called on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Forestry Commission, and the Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Forestry to publish a road map in consultation with relevant stakeholders for the full implementation of the laws on sustainable forest management including the trade in legal timber.
According to her, the recent happenings in Ghana, particularly the extent of illegal mining in our water bodies and forest reserves, have revealed the lack of enforcement of the laws on environmental protection and mining.
She pointed out that EU and Ghana have since 2009, entered into an agreement known as the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA), aimed at ensuring the sustainable management and utilization of the country’s timber resources.
“This agreement was subsequently ratified by Parliament and has become part of the law of the Timber Resources Management (Legality Licensing) Regulation 2017. L.I 2254,” she stated.
She added that the VPA is a legally binding trade agreement that seeks to ensure that all timber and timber products exported from Ghana to the European Union(EU) are sourced legally.
According to her, there is a need to provide legislations in order to regulate these mining activities and protect our forests.
Mrs. Asumeng also affirmed her organization’s readiness to support the government in the fight against galamsey.
