Minister of Lands, Forestry and Mines, has urged all stakeholders in
the forestry sector to work towards promoting greater transparency and
legality in the sector.
Speaking at a national stakeholders' forum on the revised Ghana
Forest Certification Standards, Mr Yeboah, cautioned that no
particular interest group should be allowed to dominate or have its
way in the certification process.This, he explained, would enhance the
credibility of the certification scheme and acceptability by all
stakeholders.
The National Forest Certification Standards, which began in 1996,
aims at pursuing a national strategy to achieve sustainable forest
management in Ghana.A National Working Group (NWG) on forest
certification, which comprised technical expertise for the
implementation of certification activities in Ghana, had already been
established while a National Governing Council (NGC) to an advisory
role had also been constituted.
The forum, which was attended by representatives from the trade and
industry in the forest sector, NGOs, government, research and
academia, landowners, forest managers and community groups, aimed at
discussing the revised certification standards for adoption and
implementation.
Mr Yeboah said the issue of illegal logging in timber trade had
become an important issue not only to the international community but
also to the government as well.He said the significance of Europe to
Ghana in terms of timber trade made it imperative for all stakeholders
to discuss the issue of illegal activities in the sector and find
lasting solutions to them.
Dr Ernest Asare Abeney, Chairman of the NWG, said the group had been
able to review the Ghana National Forest Certification Standards in
the light of recent changes in forestry policies and practices in
Ghana.He said 11 companies were pursuing forest certification in the
country and appealed to the government to grant such companies tax
relief to motivate others to comply.
04 April 07
