Ghanaian timber traders urge government to address transport bottlenecks

Recently, Edem Koko Edem, a representative of Ghanaian timber traders, told Angel FM radio that timber traders across the country still face numerous challenges in transporting their products to markets, calling on authorities to take urgent action. Edem directly appealed to Office Director Debrah, urging her to swiftly coordinate and resolve the pressing issues in transportation and regulatory processes. 

This appeal comes at a time when Ghana's forestry sector is once again drawing attention due to issues surrounding timber product transportation regulation and safety inspections. According to the Forestry Commission, the industry generated approximately $260 million in revenue in 2025 through timber exports and domestic sales. The core of the current conflict lies in the commission’s decision this year to deploy armed guards in ten forest reserves to combat illegal mining and respond to recent spate of attacks on forestry personnel—measures that have clashed with traders’ needs for transport access.

Hugh Brown, CEO of the Forestry Commission, stated at a World Environment Day event in Accra that the sector supplied 952,000 cubic meters of timber and wood products last year, supporting around 800,000 jobs. Brown emphasized that ongoing deforestation and forest degradation in high forest areas are threatening these livelihoods and the communities dependent on forestry. 

Additionally, Edem urged the government to engage in dialogue with all stakeholders to reassess current timber trade policies. He also warned that if these disputes remain unresolved, they could jeopardize numerous livelihoods dependent on the industry, which was valued at $260 million in 2025. 

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