Ghana’s domestic forestry sector is facing a major setback as timber trafficking activities drain an estimated $200 million from annual revenues. Timber trafficking, which involves unauthorized logging and timber transport, bypasses forestry regulations, depriving the government of essential taxes, royalties, and fees. According to Dr. Seth Appiah-Kubi, National Director of A Rocha Ghana, this illegal practice threatens the sustainability of Ghana’s forests and the economy by exploiting one of its most vital resources.
During a recent national workshop on third-party monitoring of timber trafficking, experts emphasized challenges like inconsistent law enforcement coordination and limited resources for wood identification methods. The workshop, part of the US Forest Service’s Anti-Timber Trafficking project, gathered key stakeholders to address illegal logging and timber trafficking across Ghana’s borders. The project, implemented by civil society groups such as COMPAD Ghana, ORGIIS, and The Resource Foundation, aims to create a framework for sustainable forest management and conservation.
Despite measures like the Ghana Wood Tracking System (GWTS), Dr. Appiah-Kubi cited challenges including weak law enforcement, porous borders, and limited collaboration. The project’s initiatives—spanning community education, radio programs, and real-time monitoring technology—aim to enhance timber trade regulation across Ghana’s regions and ensure a coordinated effort in protecting the country’s forestry sector.