As part of efforts to develop legal capacity of females in the forestry sector, a one-day workshop was organized by RAIN in collaboration with ClientEarth to build capacity of some selected females on contemporary issues to promote good land and forest governance. Present were 38 participants from institutions including Forestry Commission, Media (Ghana News Agency, Ghana Broadcast Cooperation, Daily Graphic, Ghanaian Times), Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s), Research and Academia and Timber industry. Albert M. Agyepong (Esq.) from TaylorCrabbe Initiative (TCi), took participants through the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). He mentioned that, the EUDR which was passed in June 2023 and comes to force in 30th December 2024 seeks to prevent entry of deforestation linked commodities to the European market. The listed agro commodities including cocoa, timber, and coffee must follow some conditions before it can be granted entry in the EU market. These include; the commodities should not be produced from deforested areas, must be produced in accordance with municipal

However, the implementation of this law, triggers challenges like the EU’s definition for deforestation, setting a benchmark for producer countries, the regulatory challenge in Ghana, and lack of robust traceability system. Mrs. Ernestina O. Banahene, President of Women in Timber-Ghana (WITG) expressed concern about the non-inclusion of gold in the commodity list gives a leeway for illegal mining activities. She lamented that illegal mining which is currently the leading cause of deforestation is destroying the environment including their timber operational areas with impacts on their livelihoods. The women are therefore calling on the EU to add gold to the list of commodities.

Concerns were also raised by participants on the decision by government to convert Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GSBA) into production sites. They were of the view that, this has negative impact on endangered species and biodiversity and urged government to re-think this decision. The workshop had sessions on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) which was presented by Mrs. Esther Apraku Nyarko, Metro Director for Social Welfare and Community Development-KMA. She urged participants to provide the needed support to colleagues, family and friends who are victims of abuse. Dr. Pearl Adu-Nyako, a Psychiatrist at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) highlighted the implications of domestic violence on the mental health of women. With the month of May being a ‘Purple’ month, she advised participants to help eradicate the stigma attached to Psychiatric health and encouraged women to seek assistance when the need be.