Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor (MP), the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources has on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, received the European Union Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Irchad Razaaly.

The Ambassador paid a courtesy call on the Minister to further deepen discussions on Ghana's current stage of licensing timber for the export in European markets.

Addressing the delegation, the Minister assured that his Ministry is in the final stages of implementing the Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade Action plan (FLEGT) to ensure that legal timber on the domestic markets is sourced, processed and marketed to the EU.

Hon. Jinapor commended the European Union for the extraordinary work and their involvement in the voluntary partnership with Ghana as it is aimed at preserving the ecosystem and environment of tropical forests estates.

The Minister assured the delegation that he will fully participate in ensuring that the licenses are signed.

On his part, H.E Ichard Razaaly stated that European Union has pledged its support to countries that adopt sustainable methods in exporting their timber resources legally.

He commended government’s flagship programme, Green Ghana Project, under which over 10 million tree seedlings were planted this year.

He said, he led his team to plant 500 tree seedlings at Apapam Community in the Atewa Forest enclave of the Eastern Region, as part of their efforts to help restore Ghana's vegetative cover.

FLEGT licences are documents issued by timber-producing countries that have ratified a Voluntary Partnership Agreement with the EU. The licences confirm that timber or timber products comply fully with the relevant laws of the country of export.