A three-member delegation from the Ghana Shippers’ Authority (GSA) has paid a working visit to the Forestry Commission (FC), as part of efforts to strengthen institutional collaboration and address concerns affecting exporters of forestry products.

The delegation was led by Mrs. Monica Josiah, Head of Shipper Services and Trade Facilitation at the GSA. She was accompanied by Ms. Abigail Owusu Ansah and Ms. Hannah Affel, Assistant Officers with the Authority’s Shipper Services and Trade Department. The visit focused on three key areas: identifying practical avenues for cooperation in resolving shipment-related challenges within the forestry sector; enhancing compliance with regulatory requirements governing forestry trade; and improving stakeholder sensitisation on export procedures and documentation to promote efficiency and transparency in Ghana’s trade ecosystem.

Welcoming the delegation, the Acting Deputy Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, Mr. Elikem Kotoko, expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the GSA. He underscored the importance of the collaboration, particularly in light of Ghana’s implementation of the Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licensing regime for the export of timber and other wood products. He further encouraged sustained engagement to deepen cooperation between the two institutions.

In her remarks, Mrs. Josiah explained that the visit was grounded in the mandate of the GSA Act, 2024 (Act 1122), which empowers the Authority to regulate the commercial activities of shippers and shipping service providers involved in the shipment, storage and delivery of international trade cargo by sea, air and land.

She noted that although the GSA has maintained a long-standing relationship with the Forestry Commission, the Authority has in recent years received persistent complaints from wood and wood handicraft exporters concerning regulatory and documentation challenges encountered in their dealings with the Commission. According to her, these issues have had implications for export operations and highlight the need for closer institutional coordination.

Mrs. Josiah expressed confidence that the engagement would lay the foundation for a more coordinated and structured approach to resolving exporters’ concerns, while advancing the shared objective of building a more efficient and competitive trade facilitation framework.

The meeting brought together several key officials from the FC such as Dr. Richard Gyimah, Executive Director, Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD); Mrs. Valarie Fumey Nassah- Director of Operations, Plantations, Forest Services Division; Dr. Cudjoe Awudi, Director, Corporate Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and Mrs. Joyce Ofori Kwafo, Head, Corporate Affairs and Media Relations. Also present were Mr. Alex Gyimah Agyemang, Manager, Contract and Permit; Mr. Ophilious Lambog – Manager, Grading and Inspection and Mr. Kwadwo Opoku Adomako, Greater Accra Area Manager of the TIDD.

The engagement featured an interactive session during which the GSA delegation sought clarification on the FLEGT licensing process, timber conveyance procedures and the Commission’s permit protocols. Discussions also explored opportunities for joint stakeholder engagements and the adoption of best practices aimed at enhancing service delivery and overall stakeholder satisfaction within the forestry export value chain.

In an atmosphere of unity, the GSA and FC agreed to deepen technical engagement, enhance stakeholder education, and establish clearer coordination mechanisms to address procedural bottlenecks. The visit marked a renewed phase of partnership focused on improving regulatory compliance, reducing trade friction, and strengthening Ghana’s competitiveness in the international timber and wood products market.

The meeting concluded with a photo session and both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to sustained dialogue and practical collaboration aimed at streamlining export processes within the forestry value chain