Members of the Woodworkers Association of Ghana have made a heartfelt plea to the government to intensify the fight against illegal mining, widely known as galamsey, as it continues to destroy forest reserves across the country.
They warned that the rapid depletion of forest resources is threatening the survival of the wood industry, leading to timber scarcity and driving up raw-material prices, which is pushing many artisans out of business.
The association lamented the dual challenge of timber shortages and what they described as heavy taxes imposed on wood and wood-related materials.
According to them, the situation has significantly increased operational costs, weakened competitiveness and discouraged investment in the sector.
Industry players fear that without urgent intervention, the local wood industry may become unviable in the near future.
These concerns were voiced during the Association’s 6th Ashanti Regional Congress held in Kumasi on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.
The congress brought together members, regional leaders and national executives to elect new officers and deliberate on pressing issues affecting the wood and carpentry sector.
The event, themed “Woodworkers Industry: Sustainable Business in the Economy of Ghana,” ushered in a new four-year mandate for elected executives.
The National President of the Association, Mr. Abdella Bin Abubakar, appealed to the government to support members with modern machinery and technological equipment.
He said, “With the right tools, our artisans can produce high-quality furniture that meets modern standards and competes with imported products.”
He further urged the government to work with financial institutions to create accessible funding schemes to enable woodworkers to acquire contemporary machines and tools needed for modern designs.
The Ashanti Regional Chairman, Mr. Sampson Opoku, voiced deep concern about persistent harassment encountered by some members from police officers and Forestry Commission officials on the roads.
He explained that even when timber is lawfully purchased from approved markets, “members are stopped, interrogated and sometimes arrested, which is unnecessary and disruptive to business.”
He called for greater collaboration and clear operational guidelines to prevent unjustified harassment of law-abiding woodworkers.
Mr. Opoku also urged District Assemblies and the Ghana Enterprise Agency to recognise the Woodworkers Association in their apprenticeship placement programmes.
He noted that incorporating the association into skills development initiatives would not only empower young people with employable skills but also strengthen the future of the local wood industry.
Story by Francis Appiah
