Ghana risks spending millions of cedis on timber imports as 75 out of 100 local timber manufacturing companies have collapsed due to ongoing forest destruction caused by bushfires.
Industry experts warn that the remaining 25 companies in the Western North, parts of Eastern, and Central Regions are struggling to secure raw materials, facing potential closure.
Dr. Kwame Asamoah Adam, CEO of the Ghana Timber Millers Organisation, expressed these concerns to Citi Business News.
“Most medium to large-sized companies have collapsed. From around 100 companies, only about 25 remain, operating, exporting, and providing employment.”
He further explained, “The quantity of round logs has decreased from about 1.2 million m³ twenty years ago to around 500,000 m³ now. This decline in raw materials is mainly due to a reduction in production areas.”
Daily News Gh 