会议时间：3月21-22日

报告摘要：

In Ghana, traditional wood carving has been a major means of livelihood for a number of Ghanaians over the past years. In fact, wood carvings are diverse and each carver and association has its own specialization. Among the major wood carving products in Ghana are ‘unity’, ‘stool’, figure, mask and talking-drums. The preferred species of wood for carving are gradually dwindling due to the over-dependence on them. 

This paper assesses the type and characteristics of the wood species that local carvers prefer in different localities in Ghana for their works. It further projects the use of plantation grown tree species for wood carvings in the wake of dwindling volumes of the preferred traditional or indigenous wood species. Concerns on the use of plantation trees were solicited from local carvers in Kumasi through interviews. Some of the popular indigenous species used are Diospyros spp (Ebony) and Holarrhena floribunda (Sese). Carvers indicated their willingness to use any type of wood provided the tools and equipment for processing them engages well. Tectona grandis (Teak) and Cedrela odorata (Gyenegyene) are plantation grown tree species already being used by some carvers in place of the indigenous or traditional ones.  

Training workshops should be organized for wood carvers in the country to improve their skills and also prepare them to use other lesser known and plantation grown tree species in place of the more popular ones in order to sustain the carving industry.

Speaker Biography

Mr. Emmanuel APPIAH-KUBI, Research Scientist at Forestry Research Institute of Ghana

Emmanuel Appiah-Kubi is a Research Scientist at the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG) under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). He is currently the Head of the Timber Engineering section of the Forest Industry Development Division of the Institute. He has a Master of Philosophy degree in Civil Engineering with specialization in Wood Engineering. He has had a lot of experience in the timber industry in Ghana through processing and construction of timber structures. He conducts research into the properties of various wood species for their promotion and efficient utilization. His research work has helped to promote and enhanced the use of lesser used wood species in Ghana through efficient processing methods and techniques. He also has a lot experience in the use of wood through the design of wooden structures and supervision of wooden constructions.

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