GHANA TO IMPORT WOOD

         

     Ghana will very soon import wood from Cameroon for the construction industry. This is in view of the fast depletion of the forest cover and forest resources including tree species. 

 The decision to import wood from neighbouring countries is also to help preserve and protect the remaining natural resource.

 The Industry Manager of the Timber Industry Development Division of the Forestry Commission, Peter Zomelo disclosed this at the opening of a two-day trainer of trainers workshop for Procurement Officers of the Regional Coordinating Councils and Municipal and District Assemblies, in Kumasi. 

The workshop aimed at empowering the over 40 participants with information on the Public Procurement Policy of Timber and Timber Products and its Guidelines.  The Policy mandates that government agencies in particular should procure all wood and wood products meant for public projects from only legal sources, to discourage people from illegal logging.  

 It was organized by the Nature and Development Foundation, an NGO, with support by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the European Union and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. According to Mr. Zomelo explained that illegal logging is seriously contributing to not just forest depletion, but also environmental degradation and should be stopped. He noted that if procurement officers in state agencies deal only with legally registered companies, people would be discouraged from stealing from the forest reserves.

 The Technical Director in charge of Forestry at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Musah Abu Juan, said the substantial loss in Ghana’s forest cover is mainly due to human activities such as farming. According to him, even though people are free to farm on lands outside forest reserves, government will not look on unconcerned for some selfish individuals to illegally deplete the forest resources. The Nature and Development Foundation, Mustapha Seidu reminded the Procurement Officers of the key role they have to play in making the implementation of the Public Procurement Policy on Timber and Timber Products successful.

 They should therefore take the workshop very serious so as to in turn, help their colleagues to comply with the policy in their procurement of wood and wood products for public works.