The Forestry Commission of Ghana in collaboration with Teaknet and other stakeholders have organised the 4th World Teak conference (WTC) dubbed “Global Teak Market; Challenges and opportunities for emerging Market & Developing Economies”. The 3- day programme saw over 300 participants from about 38 countries including researchers, marketers and agro -forestry experts attending the conference.
The Chief Executive of FC, Mr. John Allotey, in delivering the welcome address expressed his profound gratitude to all participants for attending the 4th World Teak Conference held in Accra and commended Mr. Hugh Brown, co -Chair for the Local Organising Committee (LOC) , for his extraordinary efforts and also for acting as a liason between FC and Teaknet. He again thanked the Board of Commissioners and the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) for their support to the Local Organising Committee.
The key note speakers presented on value addition and livelihood enhancement of smallholder teak plantations, promoting responsible teak trade and marketing.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor MP, commended the organisers for selecting Ghana as a host for the conference at a time the world was recovering from the global COVID-19 pandemic.
This he said would afford the government and private sector to work together to conserve natural resources and protect global ecosystems to support health and wellbeing platforms that give opportunity to foster partnership for sustainable development.
The Vice president, H. E. Alhaji Dr. Mahmudu Bawumia, in a speech read on his behalf by the Minister for Information, Hon. Kojo Oppon Nkrumah, said even though Ghana was a leading producer of teak on the African continent , it would focus on building a stronger teak market capable for creating jobs to promote the socio- economic development of the member countries.
Mr. Hugh Brown led a discussion on the growth of teak production over a period of years which predates to the colonial era .
In his submission he hinted that Ghana’s rapid growth of teak production was as a result of the Government’s Afforestation programmes.
A co-panel member, Mr. Mark Hogg, CEO Mere Plantations, gave a brief about his firm , highlighting its commitment towards creating employment for locals.
There were solidarity messages from FAO, TEAKNET, IUFRO and ITTO Japan.