New Agriculturist

Hidden forestry revealed: Characteristics, constraints and opportunities for small and medium forest enterprises in Ghana

By Paul Osei-Tutu et al.
Published by IIED
Website: www.iied.org/pubs
2010, 72pp, ISBN 978 1 84369 454 0(Pb), £14 or free to download

Ghana's informal forest sector, consisting of small and medium scale forest enterprises (SMFEs), provides income to three million people and may contribute more to livelihoods than the formal timber industry. But the sector has been largely excluded from forestry planning and management, depriving the government of potential revenue and preventing the sector achieve its potential. This report offers an overview of SMFEs in Ghana, including governance, finance and marketing issues and the mechanisms that exist to promote small and medium scale forest businesses. The challenges facing such businesses are familiar: low levels of literacy and business skills; a dwindling resource base; poor access to markets and credit; and weak bargaining power. In response, the report writers recommend the formation and strengthening of SMFE associations and greater coordination between support organisations. The report will be of interest to many involved in the informal forestry sector, both within Ghana and beyond.

Date published: July 2010