The Forestry Commission (FC) has once again demonstrated continental and global leadership in sustainable forest governance, representing Ghana at the 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Workshop on Timber Legality Assurance System and Traceability.
The workshop,took place from December 1–4, 2025, in Surabaya, Indonesia. Ghana was represented by Dr. Richard Gyimah, Executive Director of the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD), on behalf of the Chief Executive of the FC and Dr. Kwame Asamoah Adam, Chief Executive of the Ghana Timber Millers Organisation (GTMO), who represented Ghana’s timber trade associations.
The workshop convened over 120 participants from 20 countries, providing a strategic platform for ASEAN member states and global partners to share progress on national timber legality systems while discussing expanding pathways for broader market recognition. Participating countries presented updates on their Timber Legality Assurance and Traceability systems, exchanged lessons learned, and were introduced to the Broader Market Recognition Coalition (BMRC),a fast-growing international initiative aimed at strengthening global acceptance of credible national legality and sustainability frameworks.
Ghana received significant recognition at the gathering as the first country in Africa, and second in the world after Indonesia, to issue the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade – Voluntary Partnership Agreement (FLEGT-VPA ) licence,an achievement that reinforces the country’s long-standing commitment to credible, transparent, and accountable timber governance. This milestone was widely referenced during the workshop as a model for other timber-producing countries.
As co-chair of the BMRC alongside Indonesia, Ghana continues to play a central role in championing the Coalition’s mission to secure global market recognition for national systems that guarantee legal and sustainable timber supply. Member countries of the BMRC currently include Indonesia, Ghana, Guyana, Cameroon, Liberia, and the Republic of Congo. At the Surabaya workshop, several ASEAN countries,including Malaysia and Vietnam, expressed their intention to join the Coalition, signaling growing confidence in the BMRC framework.
Ghana was granted a special presentation slot to highlight its experience as a global frontrunner in forest legality assurance. Delivering the presentation, Dr. Richard Gyimah , on behalf of the Chief Executive of FC, underscored Ghana’s commitment to continuous improvement of its national system to maintain international trust and support the shared BMRC vision.
The participation of the Forestry Commission in such a high-level convening reaffirms Ghana’s leadership within the global forest governance landscape. Through continued collaboration with regional blocs and international partners, the Commission remains committed to promoting legal, sustainable, and globally trusted timber trade practices.
