Towards a sustainable development of the bamboo industry in Ghana

The potential role of bamboo is underscored in Ghana. This paper aims at highlighting the potential for sustainable use of bamboo in national development in Ghana. Information on sources, potential and perceived uses of bamboo as well as constraints in the bamboo sector were obtained through structured questionnaire and semi-structured interviews from locations spreading across all major ecological zones of Ghana. Results indicate availability of bamboo on community lands Farmlands Fallow fields and forest reserves and that its economic use is more pronounced in the Southern part of the country. Key challenges facing the bamboo industry that need consideration for its effective development revolve around the need for improved fast growing quality bamboo resources and development of effective sustainable management and harvesting techniques in natural stands. Efficient processing and preservation techniques are also major areas of concern as well as product development and promotion. To improve the bamboo sector and ensure its competitiveness as an alternative source of wood and a sustainable enterprise, a comprehensive policy is required to put in place relevant interventions. Key interventions must include regulations for extraction of bamboo and support for relevant research institutions to improve resource quality and quantity as well as product quality. The capacity of large and small scale entrepreneurs must be enhanced for improved value addition and marketing of products.