Trees and Timber Act, 1974.

This Act makes provision for certain matters related to the felling of trees, the marking of logs and the exportation of timber and for the conservation of forest resources.
The Act requires persons who wish to fell trees for exportation to first register a property mark with the Forestry Commission and only properly marked logs shall be exported. The Minister may establish protected areas outside of forest reserves for purposes of prevention of the waste of trees and timber. Provision if made for farming within such areas.
Act consists of 2 sections divided into 4 Parts: Property marks (I); Protected areas (II); Export Levies (III); General (IV). The Chief Conservator of Forests shall divide Ghana into such areas as he thinks fit and shall assign to each area a distinctive mark ("locality mark”). No person shall cut or fell any growing tree for export unless he has registered a property mark at the office of the Chief Conservator. Section 4 provides for the registration of property marks. The Chief Conservator of Forests may refuse to register a property mark pursuant to section 5. Section 6 contains rules for the marking of logs. No person shall buy, sell, export, or be in possession of any log which is not duly marked in accordance with the provisions of this Decree. The Commissioner responsible for lands may, by executive instrument, declare any area other than a Forest Reserve, which consists mainly of standing trees to be a protected area for purposes of prevention of waste of trees or timber (sect. 12). Continuation of farming in protected areas shall take place exclusively under license granted by the Commissioner under section 13. Section14 prohibits felling of tress, starting of fires and new farming in protected areas. Regulation making powers of the Commissioner in respect of protected areas are outlined in section 15 and general regulation making powers in regulation 17