The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) estimated that about six million rosewood trees had been felled and exported form Ghana to China between 2012 and 2019.

The rare species which are found in the Northern part of Ghana, take 100 years to mature. They are mostly used to make imperial-style furniture in Asia.

"Despite a comprehensive ban in place since March 2019, the dry forests and rural communities of Ghana are still the victims of rosewood plundering” EIA 2019 report indicated.

Subsequently, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources set up a committee in 2019 to investigate the illegal rosewood trade in Ghana and recommended measures to nip the practice in the bud.

Sadly, very little has been seen and heard of the Committee's recommendations to respective institutions and agencies since 2019.

It is in this light, JoyNews will on Wednesday, May 5, 2020, hold a broad stakeholders dialogue to address the nagging questions surrounding the illegal rosewood trade in Ghana and how to save the endangered from extinction.

The Joy Forum will also take stock of what has been happening since the publication of the EIA report and the work of the Committee of Inquiry three years after its investigations.

Head of JoyNews Political Desk, Evans Mensah will play host to Chief Executives of the Forestry Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency and Chairman of Parliament's Select Committee on Lands and Forestry as well as the Inspector General of the Ghana Police Service.

The other key discussants for the Joy Forum are Former Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Inusah Fuseini, Member of Parliament for Builsa North, Dr Clement Apaak, representatives from the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and the Importers and Exporters Association of Ghana.

The Ghana Wildlife Society, Ghana Forest Industry Workers Association, FURNART Ghana Limited, A-Rocha Ghana, Forest Watch Ghana, Ghana Forestry Research, JakSally Development Organisation (Bole NGO) and the University of Ghana Agriculture Students Association are all expected to participate in the all-important forum in finding a lasting solution to #SaveRosewoodGhana.

The event will be live on JoyNews, Joy 99.7 FM and myjoyonline.com as well as JoyNews’ social media platforms. Be our guest!