Ghana, previously known as the Gold Coast, has supplied Europe with timber in log form (mostly mahogany) as far back as 1833. The practice continued until 1945, when pit-sawing was introduced in Ghana and the country began exporting manufactured lumber. In the 1950s and 60s, exports of sawn lumber had grown significantly and began to include veneer sheets and plywood.

It is estimated that there are 400,000 hectares of land currently available within Ghana’s degraded forest reserves that can be converted to commercial forest plantations. In addition, there exist a large number of exhausted cocoa farms and degraded areas outside reserve areas that are also suitable for plantation development. Ghana’s wood processors are currently seeking ventures with international partners in order to upgrade current plant and equipment, improve management practices, and increase the range of products offered.

Opportunities for investment exist in the following product areas: Finished and semi-finished furniture and components; Mouldings and machined wood; Floor and deck blanks, strips and blocks; Door, window, and cabinet frames and panels; Dowels and tool handles; Peeled and sliced veneers; Kiln dried rough or machined lumber.

REFERENCE: http://www.multipartgroup.com/sites/default/files/Investment%20Opportunities%20in%20Ghana.pdf