The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has inaugurated a Timber Validation Committee with a mandate to enhance transparency, accountability, and credibility in Ghana’s timber industry.

The ceremony took place on Friday, September 12, at the Ministry’s conference room in Accra.

In his inaugural address, the Minister said the committee would play a vital role in safeguarding Ghana’s forests while ensuring that all timber products meet both domestic and international standards.

“The oath you have taken is not merely symbolic but a solemn commitment to duty. Let this Committee not be a mere formality, but a beacon of good governance and accountability in our forestry sector,” he urged.

Mr Buah also hailed Ghana’s recent milestone of issuing its first Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licence for timber exports to the European Union, making the country the first in Africa and only the second globally, after Indonesia, to do so.

He described the step as “a bold statement that Ghana is committed to legality, transparency, and sustainability in the global timber trade.”

He further underscored the need to preserve forests as a national heritage, noting: “They are not only a source of economic value but also a legacy we owe to our children and grandchildren.” The Minister pledged government’s full support to the committee to help it carry out its work effectively.

Committee Chairman, Fiifi Buckman, expressed gratitude on behalf of members and assured stakeholders of their professionalism and integrity.

“We will discharge our mandate with the highest levels of professionalism, impartiality, and unwavering commitment,” he said, emphasising the importance of forests as a source of livelihoods, foreign exchange, and raw materials.