ACCRA, May 7 (THE AFRICAN PORTAL) – The Ghana Timber Millers Organisation has expressed concern over the rising incidence of illegal logging, describing it as a canker that is undermining operations and threatening livelihoods.
Speaking in an interview with the Ghanaian Times, the Chief Executive Officer of the Organisation, Dr Kwame Asamoah Adam stated that the situation was forcing companies to scale down production, lay off workers and struggle to meet financial obligations, raising fears about the sector’s sustainability.
He explained that while registered companies operate under agreements with the Forestry Commission to harvest limited quantities of timber annually for both domestic use and export, illegal operators invade legally assigned concessions to steal logs.
“These people have no allocated areas, but they enter legal concessions, harvest timber, and sometimes use force. Some even attack trucks transporting logs on highways and seize them,” he said.
According to him, the situation has escalated to violent levels, with some companies reportedly spending huge sums on private security to protect their concessions, while others rely on limited military support that is often temporary.
He noted that the Western Region has become a hotspot for illegal activities, with some companies unable to access their concessions at all, leading to a collapse in operations.
The impact, he said, is far-reaching. “Companies cannot operate at full capacity, so they are unable to pay workers, meet tax obligations, or service bank loans. Some banks are now threatening to collapse affected companies,” he said.
He further revealed that a large proportion of illegally harvested timber is exported to neighbouring Sahel countries such as Mali and Chad, depriving Ghana of revenue and weakening enforcement systems.
Kwame Adam also pointed to the role of some local communities and landowners, allegedly support illegal operators due to immediate cash payments, rather than long-term royalties from licensed companies.
In reaction, the Forestry Commission says it is intensifying measures to promote legal compliance and curb illegal logging through its Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licensing regime.
The Executive Director of the Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) of the Commission, Dr Richard Gyimah, disclosed that Ghana has issued about 500 FLEGT licences covering timber exports valued at approximately €14.3 million, representing about 22,500 cubic metres exported mainly to European Union (EU) countries.
He explained that the FLEGT system, implemented under Ghana’s Voluntary Partnership Agreement with the EU, ensures that only legally sourced timber enters the European market.
“So far, the system has helped to ensure that exporters comply with all legal requirements, from obtaining valid harvesting permits to meeting social responsibility obligations with forest fringe communities,” he stated.
Dr Gyimah said timber firms are required to adhere strictly to regulations governing harvesting, transportation, processing and export, adding that both digital and field verification systems are used to monitor compliance.
“We operate the Ghana Wood Tracking System, which allows us to monitor the entire supply chain—from harvesting to export. Field audits are also conducted to verify operations on the ground,” he explained.
He noted that mechanisms such as segregation, confiscation and sanctions are applied when illegal timber is detected, to maintain the integrity of the system.
Dr Gyimah urged industry players to remain compliant and called for collective efforts to combat illegal logging and ensure the sustainable management of the country’s forest resources.
Credit: Benedicta Gyimaah Folley
