Loggers without processing mills trained on FLEGT legality

Two separate two-day training on ‘Compliance with Timber Harvesiting Operations, Transport and fiscal obligation’ have been organized for loggers within the Akim Oda, New-Edubiase, Bekwai, Juaso, Nkwawie, Cape Coast, Dunkwa, Assin Fosu, Tarkwa and Takoradi forest districts of Ghana.

Organized by the Nature and Development Foundation (NDF), with funding from the FAO under the FAO-EU FLEGT Programme, the training comes as part of the NDF project, “FLEGT COMPLIANCE IN Ghana; Building the Capacity of Loggers without processing Mills”.

Until the training, the role of loggers who do not own processing mills towards the successful implementation of Forest Law Enforcement and Governance Trade (FLEGT) appeared to have been under emphasized.

Coupled with the shortfall in the supply of raw materials and entrenched by the high demand for logs, these loggers paid little attention, if any, to FLEGT legality requirements. As a result, many of the loggers without sawmill had little understanding and appreciation of the critical legality requirements. However, the ultimate success of FLEGT implementation in Ghana demands the active compliance of all stages of the timber supply chain in Ghana.

The aim of the training was therefore to equip the loggers with knowledge to comply with their obligations as stated in the Ghana VPA-FLEGT legality Standards. As part of the training, infographic guide on harvesting operations and transport requirements of the VPA-FLEGT were produced and disseminated to the loggers.

Some participants expressed their joy while undergoing the training and acquiring valuable knowledge to aid them in their work. “This training has helped me to know how to work within the consigned compartment and keep the area of harvest clean,” one of them said.

“This training has added up to my experience gained over twenty-five years in the timber business. It has taught me how to apply and acquire a concession to harvest legal timber and educated me on how to harvest timber in the forest-fringed communities in peace with the traditional authorities and the community members,” another elated participant stated.

Ending the training, the Director of Operations for NDF, Mr. Glen Asomaning was optimistic the impact of the training would soon be felt by downstream millers who purchase the logs from these loggers to enable the millers obtain the requisite documents the licensing is associated with.