TaylorCrabbe

We are honored to have served as legal consultants for the historic Emissions Reductions Purchase Agreement (ERPA) between the Government of Ghana and Tullow Oil Plc. This agreement marks a significant milestone in Ghana's ongoing efforts to combat deforestation and forest degradation. Hearty Congratulations to GH REDD of Ghana Forestry Commission, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources - Ghana &Tullow Ghana

SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY We are offering an enriching summer internship program designed to provide aspiring legal professionals with hands-on experience in natural resources law. Eligible applicants should submit the following documents to careers@taylorcrabbegh.com: 1. A cover letter explaining their interest in natural resources law and why they are an ideal candidate for the internship. 2. A resume detailing their academic and professional experience. 3. A letter of recommendation from a law school or other professionals who can attest to the applicant's qualifications. 4. A 1500-word essay on how Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas are protected under Ghanaian law. The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, July 15th, 2024, at 11.59 GMT.

Congratulations! Clement Kojo Akapame

We are pleased to share the Ghana-focused report from the "Global Transformation of Forests for People and Climate: A Focus on West Africa" project. This initiative was commissioned by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency ( SIDA), and ECOWAS. The report on Ghana was authored by Clement Kojo Akapame with support from Dennis Martey, both national legal consultants. The project aimed to examine the legal and institutional structures related to forestry in the countries within the Upper Guinean forest ecosystem and the Sahel to identify weaknesses and offer suggestions for strengthening these frameworks, particularly in addressing cross-border environmental challenges within the ECOWAS region. A key aspect of the analysis was to uncover gaps, limitations, and potential challenges within the current forest-related legal frameworks, while also exploring opportunities for improvement, with a special emphasis on gender issues as a central theme.

Our pupils have had a hectic month and a half as they underwent rigourous training to accelerate their transition to professional practice. Thank you to our facilitators. Saeed Moomin Afua Asiamah-Adjei Nathaniel Quansah kwaasi Djin Dennis Martey Albert Agyepong Clement Kojo Akapame

Our Partner, Clement Kojo Akapame recently participated as a speaker at the ACCA Africa Members Convention, 2023 in Johannesburg, South Africa, from December 6th to 8th. This year's theme was: "Empowering Professionals for Sustainable Development,". The convention gathered more than 500 ACCA-certified professional accountants and partners from over 35 countries in Africa and beyond. Mr. Akapame's insightful presentation focused on the "Key Legal and Regulatory Considerations for Professionals in ESG Reporting," where he discussed the complexities and potential risks associated with ESG reporting. He underscored the importance of continuous training, mentorship, and the creation of networking platforms to bridge the existing skill gap in this field.

Welcome to Maame Ama, Dennis, and Dilys our talented pupils who joined us this month! During their pupillage, they will rotate through the firm's various practice groups, with the overarching goal of becoming well-rounded professionals. Currently, we're conducting orientation and practice group-specific training to ensure they hit the ground running! Here's to a journey filled with learning, challenges, and accomplishments! #TaylorCrabbeWelcomes #NewBeginnings #TaylorCrabbe #professionaldevelopment #pupillage #Pupils

Earlier this month, our partner Clement Kojo Akapame joined the Ghanaian delegation to Brussels for the 11th Joint Monitoring and Review Mechanism (JMRM) meeting held between Ghana and the EU in Brussels between 20th – 26th September 2023. This JMRM meeting sought to advance on the final procedural steps towards the issuance of FLEGT licences. This meeting marks a major milestone in the global fight against illegal timber trade and testaments to achieving the VPA objective of improved forest governance. Ghana is in the final stages of becoming the 1st African country to issue FLEGT license to cover its timber and wood products traded on the European Market. This places Ghana as the 2nd country in the world after Indonesia to begin the trade in legally certified wood and wood products with the EU under the Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) mechanism. Ghana’s Timber Legality Assurance System when it becomes fully operational in 2024, will mark over a decade of institutional and regulatory reforms in the trade in legal timber. The Ghanaian delegation comprised of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, MP, Technical Directors representatives from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Lands and Forest and key stakeholder groups, including the Ghanaian public authorities in charge of forest administration, private sector and civil society.

Over the last decade, TaylorCrabbe has collaborated with ClientEarth to offer technical legal support to civil society, local communities, and policymakers. This support is channeled through legal analysis and capacity-building initiatives, with the aim of empowering these stakeholders to actively participate in decision-making processes and contribute to the effective implementation of Ghana- EU Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) and associated laws governing forests and community rights. The overarching objective of this collaborative effort is to foster the development of more effective, deliberative, and accountable laws in Ghana. The specific focus is on addressing issues related to deforestation and forest degradation. Simultaneously, the initiative seeks to enhance the livelihoods of the most economically vulnerable communities, with a particular emphasis on the empowerment of women. By engaging in this multifaceted approach, TaylorCrabbe and ClientEarth aim to contribute significantly to sustainable forestry practices, reduced environmental impact, and the advancement of the socio-economic well-being of marginalized communities. Please take some time to listen to our officers Clement Kojo Akapame, Dennis Martey and other stakeholders share the Legal Working Group Story of Impact in Forest Governance in Ghana.