Above: the two delegations talk in Georgetown

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Seeking to learn more about Guyana’s Chainsaw Milling Project, a sustainable forestry initiative, a team from Ghana recently visited the country to hold talks with Environment Minister Robert Persaud.

Guyana’s project, which is funded by the European Union, has led to the development of 62 community forestry organizations with a membership of more than 3,000 people. Their production accounts for approximately 20 percent of the country’s production.

It aims to reduce poverty promote the economy in regions that are dependent on forestry, along with cracking down on illegal logging.

The technical team from Ghana came to the country to learn about Guyana’s domestic lumber trade, how millers and lumber traders are supported by the government and the impact of environmental initiatives on the trade.

In 2009, the two countries entered into an agreement to develop policies and information on illegal chainsaw logging.

The plan is part of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy, which is supported by Norway.