MSD Platform Successfully Established in Two New Districts

MSD Platform Successfully Established in Two New Districts

Ghana - 16 May, 2012

The EU chainsaw milling project has expanded its multi-stakeholder dialogue (MSD) platform to two new forest districts: Tarkwa and Nkwanta.

Since the inception of the EU chainsaw milling project in 2007, the multi-stakeholder dialogue (MSD) platform has been the main strategy used to address key issues related to illegal chainsaw milling in Ghana. The platform has provided a more effective pathway for information to contribute to the formation of shared perspectives on issues and solutions for chainsaw milling. It has also facilitated and strengthened multi-stakeholder processes at the community, district and national levels.
Following the successes of the MSD in Ghana, the dialogue has been extended, including now Tarkwa and Nkwanta Forest Districts in the Western and Volta Region. This extra geographical coverage will allow stakeholders to conclude discussions about identified issues affecting legal domestic lumber supply.
Since August 2011, the project has initiated actions including sensitization of stakeholders, district and community level meetings and preparatory meetings to establish MSD platforms in the new districts. In March 2012, MSD platforms were successfully established in Tarkwa and Nkwanta Forest districts. In both districts, stakeholders agreed on MSD modalities, code of conduct, number of stakeholder groups and representatives to participate in the district level MSDs, the district level MSD steering committee and district representatives for the national MSD.
The inclusion of these new districts in the MSD will contribute to the discussions on identifying practical solutions to address problems facing small scale timber production and supply of legal lumber to the domestic market, based on best available evidence.