Views: 37 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2024-09-13 Origin: Site
The Ghana Forestry Commission has proposed to increase the current timber harvesting rates by 50 per cent from 1 September this year.
The calculation method of logging fee: logging fee = tree volume × timber price × logging rate.
Half of the logging fee was retained by the Forestry Commission and the other half was given to the chief as a royalty.
The proposal was protested by the local timber industry. Ghana Timber Association (GTA) CEO Nana Dwomoh Sarpong has called for a reduction in the increase in logging fees from 50 per cent to 30 per cent.
He implored chiefs and forestry commissions to say that COVID-19 is still affecting the timber industry as they are still paying the COVID-19 levy. He also called for the effective date to be changed from September 1 this year to September 15.
Ultimately, after deliberation, reflection and consideration, the parties agreed to reduce the proposed 50 percent increment to 40 percent, effective September 15, 2024.
