An introduction of Ghana's hardwood products and market specialties

Ghana has for decades been known as a major producer of tropical timber. The country's natural forest cover was endowed with a variety of hardwood species. Plantation forestry in dominated Tectona grandis (Teak). The consumption of the timber was at both the domestic and international level. The early years of timber export to international markets outside Africa was characterized shipment of round logs. The earlier known species, by their frequent demand and trade, were classified into utilization whereas their abundance guaranteed their classified into conservation status. Species such Milicia excelsa, Terminalia ivorensis, Tieghemella heckelii, Pericopsis elata were classified as premium species. Other utilization following Premium are Commercial, Lesser-used and Lesser-known. There premium and commercial species are mostly within the Endangered and Vulnerable conservation status. The Lesser-used and Lesser-known species are mostly within the Lower-Risk-Least-Concerns or Threatened. Presently, logs export has been banned in Ghana. Logs are processed into 88% lumber, boule, veneer, plywood. Wood billets constitute about 9% whereas tertiary processing constitute about 3%. Tectona grandis (Teak), Triplochiton scleroxylon (Obeche), Ceiba pentandra (Kapok), Khaya species (Mahogany), Daniellia ogea (Senya), Afzelia species (Papao), Cylicodiscus gabunensis (Denya), Aningeria species (Asanfina), Pterygota macrocarpa (Koto). The major international markets for Ghanaian hardwood timber export are Asia, Euopre, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East.