Factors affecting certification uptake — Perspectives from the timber industry in Ghana

Abstract

This study approaches the issue of limited certification uptake in the tropics by assessing the factors affecting decisions on certification uptake among Ghanaian timber firms. Out of a total of 224 registered timber firms in Ghana, eight have initiated FSC certification. Customer demands, prospects of consolidating or increasing market shares, and a perceived need to invest in resource productivity are the main stated reasons for initiated certification uptake. Respondents from non-certified firms point out high compliance costs as a key reason not to certify. Owners and managers from these firms, however, hold little specific knowledge about certification requirements and costs. This calls for careful interpretation of statements on compliance costs as a factor discouraging certification uptake. Weak State-led governance, which creates an unpredictable business environment, constitutes another impeding factor for certification uptake in Ghana. This stresses the complimentary role of State-led governance in underpinning the functionality of certification. Norms such as resistance towards western imperialism, regulatory interference, and not regarding forest resource maintenance as the responsibility of the timber firms, are in the study found to constitute an additional and important factor affecting decisions not to engage in certification. The paper suggests that further attention be given to this aspect of certification uptake dynamics. Finally, the paper discusses the possibilities for synergies between FLEGT VPA legality verification and FSC certification.