GHANA-EU TO TRACK SOURCES OF TIMBER

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A wood market
 The Government of Ghana, in partnership with the European Union, is to implement a new policy known as Wood Tracking System from March next year to track the source of all wood and wood products to be exported from the country to the European market. In addition to this policy, the government of Ghana and its agencies will also procure all of their wood and wood products from only legal and recognized sources. 


These are among other policies formulated to stop illegal felling of trees to protect the remaining forest resources in Ghana. 

A Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Barbara Serwaa Asamoah, made this known at a durbar in Kumasi to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the creation of the Sokoban Wood Village. 

The Sokoban Wood Village is an enclave built by the government of Ghana with financial assistance by French Agency, AFD for the re-location of wood workers and wood sellers at Anloga and surrounding areas. The re-location paved the way for the construction of the eastern by-pass from Anloga to Asokwa involving an interchange at the erstwhile Timber Garden Hotel. 

The Village has since become a one-stop enclave for the processing, sale and procurement of wood and wood products. 

The Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources disclosed that the forestry and wood sub-sector has become the fourth highest income earning for the country generating about 178 million Euros annually and employing about 120 thousand people in various aspects of wood processing. 

Madam Serwaa Asamoah expressed regret however that the actions and selfishness of a few recalcitrant people, particularly chainsaw operators, are causing a serious damage to the country’s forest resources and called on all well-meaning citizens to come together to fight the menace.

 The Project Officer of the AFD, Ms Mareva Benard Herve disclosed that her outfit has agreed to support the government of Ghana with 36 million Euros for the completion of the Asokwa-Atonsu dual carriage and the Aboabo Storm drain. She said also that AFD is ready to assist government to undertake a number of development projects including markets for the benefit of the people. 

The Chairman of the Management Committee of the Sokoban Wood Village, Togbe Fugah said workers and the management plan to plant trees around the enclave for future use. He however appealed to government to rehabilitate the roads that lead to the Village. 

A former Minister for Roads and Transport, Dr. Richard Anane, called for an all-inclusive management Committee to cater for all the shades of opinions at the village instead of leaving everything to a few people.

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