Forest Products, Trade and Marketing Division
For those who live at the fringes of forests and savanna woodlands their livelihood and survival depends to a larger extent on these resources. These ecological systems provide them with food, shelter and medicine. There is no gain saying that the harvesting and marketing of these resources primarily by rural communities have not yielded any great benefits to the communities individually or collectively. Either harvesting is inefficient or the product is marketed in its raw state without adding any value.
The research priorities of this Division include the following:
- Establishment and functioning of viable small to medium-scale village enterprises: Engaged in wild animal domestication/establishment
- Harvesting, production, processing and marketing of timber and non-timber forest products:Including among others the following:
- Live animals and bush meat
- Fruit trees, wood fuel, honey and bee waxes
- Plant-based oil, shea butter, essential oils and fats
- Medicinal plants and herbal medicines
- Bamboo and rattan products
- Natural insecticides and natural dyes
- Promotion of artisanal wood-based enterprises and Products e.g. wood-carving etc.
- Development of technologies that can combine, for instance, low input agriculture and forestry:Including fruit trees, wildlife, wood fuel production and innovative rotations to improve food security and rural incomes.
- Domestic and international market access for forest and wildlife products
- Bio-energy: Including development of traditional sources of energy and its efficient utilization (To enhance efficient establishment, utilisation and marketing of woodfuel)
- Forest Products Certification and Validation of legal origin of Forest Products: To improve the tracking system for exploited products (forest, wildlife, biodiversity, medicinal plants, other non-timber forest products) to establish legal origin of these products
- Sustainable domestic and foreign markets for processed natural resources
- Standardisation, Quality Control and grading for products
- Private sector investment in forest products development and processing
Members of Staff in the Division
Divisional Head - Dr. Mrs. Darko Obiri
Senior Members
Dr. E. Ebanyenle
Dr. A. Oteng-Amoako
Technical Staff
Ms. Jemima Lartey
Mr. Kwaku Asumadu
Mr. Govina James Kudjo
Mr. Richard Kwadwo Adjei
Laboratories
Anatomy
Chemistry