“Developing alternatives for illegal chainsaw lumbering through multi-stakeholder dialogue in Ghana and Guyana”
European Commission programme on Tropical Forests and other Forests in Developing Countries
Seventh National Multi Stakeholder Dialogue Meeting Minutes
(MSD 7)
Date: 17th May, 2012 Venue: Auditorium, FC Headquarters - Accra
By Emmanuel Fosu, Jane Aggrey & Mercy Owusu Ansah
Acronyms BOD Board of Directors CFA Community Forestry Advisor CFC Community Forestry Committee CFW Community Forestry Worker CSM Chainsaw Milling DFF District Forest Forum DOLTA Domestic Lumber Traders Association EU European Union FC Forestry Commission FSD Forest Service Division GTA Ghana Timber Association GTMO Ghana Timber Millers Association KNUST Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology MLNR Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources MSD Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue MSD-SC Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue-Steering Committee NF National Facilitator NFA Community Forestry Advisor NFF National Forest Forum NPC National Project Coordinator PAC Project Advisory Committee PD Programme Director PMT Project Management Team RMSC Resource Management Support Centre SC Steering Committee TBI Tropenbos International TIDD Timber Industry Development Division VPA Voluntary Partnership Agreement
Members Present Name Stakeholder Group 1. Victor K. Nyadi DOLTA, Tema 2. Stephen K. Boafo Chainsaw Operator, Assin Foso 3. Amoako Dankwa Farmer, Juaso District 4. Solomon Bagaseh NFF, Upper East Region 5. Nana Atakora Kodua NFF-Ghana, Kumasi 6. Rev. Fugah Carpenters Association, Wood Village 7. R. Agyenim Boateng Chainsaw Operators, Goaso 8. Prince Henneh Ofori Farmer, Sunyani 9. O.B. Puplampu NFF-Ghana, Koforidua 10. Nana Owusu Aduamoah Traditional Authority, Apoli Ningo-Oda 11. Nana Kyei Boitey Farmer, Begoro 12. Nana Kwame Tutu I Traditional Authority, Nkawie 13. Nana Atakora Kodua NFF- Ghana, Ashanti Region 14. Nana Adu Ofori CBAG, National President, Apapam 15. Kwame Ofori Attah Chainsaw Operator, Begoro 16. Kwame Asamoah Dwomoh NFF- Ghana, Rep. National President 17. Kingsley Arthur CFW, Akyem Akokoaso 18. K.E. Haizel TIDD, Takoradi (SC Member) 19. Joseph Boakye FSD Operations Manager, Accra 20. John Arko Tettey District Assembly, Juaso 21. Isaac Kwao NTFP collector, Akyem Oda 22. Isaac Anobil Chainsaw Operator, Akyem Kade 23. Gabriel Tettevi Lumber Broker, Ho 24. Francis Amedzator MOFA, Akyem Oda 25. Emmanuel Torsu Chainsaw Operator, Juaso 26. Emmanuel Boafo CFC, Akyem Akokoaso 27. Ekua Ansah-Eshon MSD-SC Chairperson 28. E. Kofi Ametepe MOFA, Kade 29. Charles Krah Boadu Lumber Dealer, Sokoban 30. Ben Bawa Karimu NFF-Ghana, Northern Region 31. Augustine Gyedu FC(MSD-SC Member), Goaso 32. Atta Yeboah NFF-Ghana, Brong Ahafo Region 33. Anthony P. Asare DOLTA, Tema 34. Amoako Dankwa Chainsaw Operator, Juaso 35. Alex Dadzie GTA, Takoradi 36. Alex Asare RMSC/NFF(MSD-SC Member), Kumasi 37. Daniel Y. Ansah Lumber Dealer, Assin Foso 38. Beatrice Darko Obiri FORIG(PMT Member),Kumasi 39. Agyei Nkrumah NFF-Ghana, Agona Nkwanta 40. Kwame Asamoah Adam GTMO, Kumasi 41. Edward Kofi Ametepe MOFA, Kade 42. Peter Zormelo TIDD, Takoradi 43. P.C. Appah BNI, Begoro 44. D.K. Koranteng Chainsaw Operator, Nkwanta 45. Bonkor Bossman Chainsaw Operator, Atronie 46. Isaac Annobil Chainsaw Operator, Kade 47. Richard Ashon CFC, Kade 48. Eric Baisey Farmer, Kade 49. Emmanuel Boafo CFC, Akokoaso-Kade 50. J. K. Tawiah C.F.C., Sunyani 51. Gabriel Tettevi DOLTA, Ho 52. David Yeboah Lumber Dealer, Sunyani 53. Kwame Asamoah-Dwomoh NFF-Ghana Kumasi 54. Nana owusu Aduamoah Traditional Authority, Akyem oda 55. Charles Kra Boadu Lumber Dealer, Sokoban-Kumasi 56. Patrick K. Anderson FSD, Tarkwa 57. DSP S.S. Okunor Ghana Police Service, Goaso 58. Isaac Tetteh Kabu NFF-Ghana, Accra 59. P A. Anokye Academia(KNUST), Kumasi 60. Francis Amedzrator MOFA, Akyem Oda 61. Kwabena Bediako TIDD, Accra 62. Daniel Y. Ansah Lumber Dealer, Assin Foso 63. Elizerbeth Obeng FORIG, Kumasi 64. Eric Nutakor FORIG, Kumasi 65. Florence Kotey World Visio, Nkwanta 66. Nana Kyei Boatey Farmer, Begoro 67. J.K. Ofori Tradtional Authority, Nkwanta 68. Nana Kanchina Tradtional Authority, Nkwanta 69. Peter Edem Zormelo TIDD, Takoradi 70. Samuel Brenya NFF-Ghana, Nkawie 71. Nana Kweku Tutu Traditional Authority, Nkawie 72. Agyei Anthony C.F.C, Sunyani 73. Nasimong Solomon CFC, Nkwanta 74. Nicholas Attah Farmer, Goaso 75. Anthony Otoo NFF-Ghana, Tarkwa 76. Mahadi Dadzie Lumber Dealer, Tarkwa 77. Augustine Agyei Carpenter, Goaso 78. Agyei Nkrumah NFF-Ghana, Agona Nkwanta 79. Paul Akrasi FSD, Begoro 80. Kwame Bonsu Attafuah Lumber Dealer, Akyem Oda 81. Seth Komla Yakpe Chainsaw Operator,Nkwanta
In Attendance 1. Alex A. Boadu Operations Director, FC-Accra 2. Oppon Sasu FC, Accra 3. Emmanuel B. Ansong EC Delegation, Accra
Project Secretariat 1. James Parker National Project Coordinator 2. Mercy Owusu Ansah National Facilitator 3. John Amonoo Community Forestry Advisor 4. Emmanuel Fosu Project Assistant (Recorder) 6. Evans Sampene Mensah Research Assistant
CFW 1. Raymond Ayepah CFW, Kade 2. Kow Quaison CFW, Sunyani 3. Isaac O. Boakye CFW, Juaso 4. Seth Duodu CFW, Assin Foso 5. Alfred Biney CFW, Begoro 6. Baba Musah Iddrisu CFW, Nkwanta 7. Nana Ama Hodibert CFW, Tarkwa 8. Mark Aidoo Gyamfi CFW, Nkawie 9. Rita Mintah CFW, Goaso
Apology 1. Joseph Blay Judicial Service, Assin Foso – National Engagement 2. Vincent Appiah CFW, Akyem Oda - Bereaved
Recorders 1. Emmanuel Fosu Project Assistant 2. John Amonoo CFA, EU CSM Project
Agenda Reading of previous minutes Presentation of outcomes from district level MSD meetings Achievements and successes of the project and challenges Review of stakeholder list and identify stakeholders that are missing Review of MSD steering committee members Presentation on lumber recovery of locally manufactured artisanal milling machine Way forward
Proceedings Action
1.0 Opening The meeting was called to order at 10:15 am by the NF. Mr. Agyenim Boateng, a member of the MSD-SC prayed for God’s guidance for the meeting.
1.1 Introductions The participants took turns to introduce themselves; stating their stakeholder group and community /districts they represent.
2.0 Opening Remarks by the MSD-SC Chairperson The Chairperson, Ms Ekua Ansah Eshon, commended the MSD members for their commitment, time and sacrifice in the face of all difficulties which has kept the platform going. She emphasized that all stakeholders from the national to the community levels deserve special commendation. She briefly stated that the meeting was purposely, to do an assessment of the MSD activities and suggest ways of improving on it. She on behalf of the MSD-SC welcomed the new stakeholders from the two new districts-Nkwanta and Tarkwa and urged them to work hard to help the project and the country achieve its broad objective of legal supply of lumber to the domestic market.
3.0 Purpose of the Meeting Mr. K.S. Nketiah, the PD of TBI Ghana presented the purpose of the meeting as follows:
To evaluate and review the MSD process To review and elect MSD-SC members
4.0 Reading and Acceptance of Previous Minutes The MSD-SC secretary led the meeting through the previous minutes. The phrase “Confession from chainsaw Operators” generated heated argument. But after lengthy discussions, the phrase was corrected to read, “The chainsaw Operator” to conform to the heading ‘Confession from a Chainsaw Operator’. ,
Mr. Prince Henneh Ofori a Taungya farmer from the Sunyani district moved for the acceptance of the minutes as the true reflection of the previous meeting. He was seconded by Mr. Kwame Attafuah, a chainsaw Operator from Akyem Oda.
4.1 Matters Arising from Minutes 4.1.1 Status of the Policy Proposal The NPC informed the meeting that the proposal has been approved by the ministry (Government) and the MSD has been tasked to help develop an action plan for its MSD implementation.
4.1.2 Definition of Artisanal Milling The NPC stated that during MSD 6 the MSD stressed that the definition should be base on efficiency rather than specific types or brands of the equipment. He added that the MSD & definition and concept will be discussed at MSD 8 in collaboration with TIDD. TIDD
4.1.3 Training of Para-Military The MSD-SC secretary said that the Para-military unit of the FC has been established and now operational. This he said was reported in the daily newspaper. According to him the Para-military will be used as rapid response unit to combat illegal logging. He entreated the MSD to help the team combat illegality in the forestry sector.
5.0 Reflection on Past MSD Meetings (Achievements, Successes and Areas for Improvement) Printed questionnaire were given out to stakeholders to evaluate the MSD process for the past five years (MSD 1-6). Mr. Prince A. Anokye, the Vice Chairperson of the MSD-SC led members of the platform through the questionnaire. He explained the various criteria and the rating scales to be used for the above purpose as:
organization of MSD meetings by secretariat; participation of stakeholder groups; adequacy of technical information provided to stakeholders; facilitation of MSD meetings; quality of outputs of the MSD process; extent to which objectives and purpose of MSD meetings were achieved. performance of MSD steering committee;
new skills and capabilities acquired from the MSD process, and,
information flow, communication and feedback mechanisms.
6.0 Contributions and Challenges of the MSD
The meeting agreed that stakeholders directly involved in CSM and other key stakeholders such as the NFF, security service, FC/FSD are to present, from their view point contributions of the MSD to forestry and challenges faced for the past years. One person form each district narrated key benefits the stakeholders in the districts have derived from the MSD process. After the discussions, the meeting un-equivocally agreed that the MSD has done extremely well for the past period.
7.0 Review of MSD steering committee members
The PD of TBI Ghana said the current members of the steering committee have served their term successfully, and it was necessary to confirm them individually or elect new ones. He introduced the members of the steering committee individually for members to confirm or elect a replacement. The meeting agreed to include a representative of DOLTA on the MSD-SC because of their role in the project under the project phase II. Also a personnel of the security service was added as ex-officio member.
After the process, all the members of the committee were retained except the chairman of NFF-Ghana who was replaced with the current NFF-Ghana chairman. The following are now the new MSD-Steering Committee members:
Name Stakeholder Group 1. Augustine Gyedu FSD (FC) 2. Alex Asare RMSC(FC) 3. Prince A. Anokye Research and Academia (KNUST) 4. Ekua Ansah Eshon NFF 5. Nana Asamoah Dwomoh NFF 6. Patrick Pattey Asare DOLTA 7. Nana Owusu Aduamoah Traditional Authority 8. DSP S.S. Okunor Security Service (Ex-officio) 9. Kwamina Haizel TIDD (Ex-officio) 10. Richard Agyenim Boateng Chainsaw Operator
8.0 Presentation on Efficiency Study Mr. Jonathan Abagre, an under graduate student from the KNUST presented the results of his study on ‘Lumber recovery of a locally manufactured ban saw machine’ (see Annex B for power point presentation).
9.0 Evaluation of the Meeting A prepared evaluation form was distributed to stakeholders. The PD entreated the stakeholders to be very candid and objective in answering the questions especially on areas of improvement to help the project streamline things.
10.0 Closing Mr. Alex Asare, a member of the MSD-SC on behalf of the project thanked all members for their participation and contribution and urged them to send feedback to their constituents. Mr. Emmanuel Torsu, a chainsaw operator from Juaso moved for the closure of the meeting and was seconded by Mr. Anthony Adjei, a CFC member from Sunyani. Mr. Nicholas Attah, a farmer from Goaso prayed to end the meeting at 4:15 pm.
Signed Signed: Emmanuel Fosu– Recorder Ekua Ansah Eshon (Chairperson)
Annex A – MSD 7 Evaluation Report
1.0 PARTICIPATION AND ORGANIZATION Majority of stakeholders (63%) said they were present at MSD 6 with only 37% absent. The reason for their absence could be either they are stakeholders from the two new project district or another person from their stakeholder had attended the meeting. Fifty-two percent (52%) of stakeholders present at MSD6 had attended all the seven MSDs organized, with 0nly 28% coming as their maiden participation. Sixty-five percent (65%) of respondents acknowledged that they received their invitation letters 1-2 weeks before the meeting while 35% received theirs less than a week.
Stakeholders indicated that they received their invitation either through a telephone call (63%), e-mail (25%) or e-mail and telephone call (12%). A total of 92% stakeholders were satisfied and clear with the content of the invitation (date, venue and agenda). On locating the venue for the meeting, 73% of the stakeholders did not encounter any difficulty, while 20% of them found it difficult to locate the venue, 7% of the stakeholders were indecisive on this issue. The material information given to stakeholders was adequate as majority (93%) were satisfied with it.
2.0 STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION It can be said that the plenary and group discussion were effectively participated by the stakeholder groups. This can be conformed as 95% of them agreed to this. Only 5% disagreed to this. The collaboration between stakeholders was excellent as perceived by 97% of stakeholders. Seventy-three 73% did not observe any conflict. However some level of conflict were observed during the acceptance of previous meeting minutes, either to include the testimony of a chainsaw operator in the minutes.
Majority of stakeholders 93% expressed their satisfaction with the technical information given with only 7% showing dissatisfactions. In terms of people dominating discussions, only 23% experience this on the floor of discussions, the remaining 77% did not experience any form of domination.
3.0 FACILITATION A good percentage of stakeholders (80%) were happy with the management of time with 20% not happy. Time allocated for discussions on issues was said to be adequate by 72% of stakeholders whiles 28% said it was not adequate.
4.0 QUALITY OF OUTPUTS A representation of 92% believes that, issues of greater concern to their stakeholder groups were adequately reflected with 8% saying otherwise. With this, 93% of stakeholders were satisfied with the outputs from the discussions. Most stakeholders, 97% indicated that, they were satisfied with the puts of MSD7.
5.0 OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE Majority of stakeholders, 97% at MSD 7 said he/she understood the objectives and purpose of the meeting.
6.0 Conclusions and Recommendations The MSD7 meeting was very successful looking at it tentatively from the stakeholders’ perspective. All the stakeholder groups were satisfied with the outcomes of the meeting. Although, MSD7 can be said to be an improvement on MSD 6 there is more room for improvement on the parts of organization and time management.
Annex B Lumber recovery of a locally manufactured ban saw machine
Lumber recovery describes the amount of lumber that can be obtained or recovered from a unit LUMBER RECOVERY OF A LOCALLY volume of log. MANUFACTURED BANSAW MACHINE. The annual demand of lumber in Ghana for domestic use is estimated at about Presented by: 750,000m3(Asmah Frank George.2011) ABAGRE AWINEBOMA JONATHAN but the supply to local market from sawmills is only 102,363m3(TIDD/FORIG 2011).
Study area The aim of the study is to access the lumber recovery efficiency of the RAB sawmill, a The study was conducted at the Boateng locally manufactured BANSAW sawmill . sawmill industry at Akrodie, a farming community fringe with small sawmill industries The specific objectives are: and located , 15km from Goaso forest District in the Brong –Ahafo Region of Ghana To determine the rate of lumber recovery and the effect of log size on lumber recovery of the RABmill.
To determine the time input for processing logs using the RABmill.
Data Collection The average thickness of all the lumber pieces The parameters that were measured during the data recovered from each log. collection were: The distance of each log from the sawmill machine.
The average diameter of logs. All the above measurement were done and The length of the log. recorded in meters using the meter tape. The length of the lumber. The time (minutes)taken for the complete The average width of all the lumber pieces recovery of each log input were recorded recovered from each log. using a stop watch.
DATA ANALYSIS
Excel was use to analysis the data using anova at 5% significant level and tables as well as chats use to display figures and graph.
Table 4.1 shows the details of the minimum, maximum and means of lumber recovery for three Ghanaian species using a locally manufactured ban saw
The results were presented on percentage of log Species Logs without defects (five logs each) Logs with defects(five logs each) Mean recovery recovered as lumber during primary processing of Number=5 Number=5 logs of three species; Triplochiton scleroxylon, Scientific names Minimum Maximu Mean Minimu Maximum Mean Mean recovery recovery m recover m recovery Recovery for all logs (%) Terminalia superba and Celtis mildbraedii. (%) recovery y logs recovery (%) (%) Number=15 (%) (%) (%)
Triplochiton 77.809 93.785 87.207 34.457 59.719 49.977 56.403 The results also show the milling rate ( time input) scleroxylon associated with the three species. Terminalia 70.557 86.612 77.920 69.151 superba Celtis mildbraedii 61.849 68.289 64.501 42.769 64.659 54.124 62.816
The average mean of recovery for all logs =62.79
Table 4.2 displays details of means of lumber processing rate (volume per minute) for Effect of species on Lumber recovery. three Ghanaian species using a locally manufactured bansaw. Species Logs without defects (five logs each) Logs with defects(five logs each) Mean Recovery lumber recovery is known to be affected by species Number=5 Number=5 Number of (FORIG, 1991) which conforms to the present study . logs=15
Scientific names Minimum. Maximum Mean Minimum Maximum Mean (m3/min.) The differences observed from the tables above may (m3/min.) (m3/min) (m3/min.) (m3/min.) (m3/min.) (m3/min.) be attribjuted to the to average diamter differences among the species.
Triplochiton 0.009 0.014 0.005 0.009 0.008 0.007 scleroxylon 0.012 Wawa had an average of 0.67, which is higher than Terminalia 0.005 0.008 0.006 ofram and esa of 0.65 and 0.56 respectively. superba 0.006
Celtis 0.005 0.009 0.005 0.007 0.007 0.007 The variation recovery among the species may also mildbraedii 0.007 be due to the different leve of diffects on the three Average volume per minute for all logs of the three species=0.006751m3/min species as reported by Denig (1993).
However, according to Owusu et – al (2011) lumber recovery using the wood mizer ranges Lumber coversion efficiency of the machine. from 72.4% to 75% with a mean recovery of According to Gyimah and Adu (2009) lumber 75.4% which is higher than the mean recovery of conversion efficiency ranges between 28% to this study . 44% for sawmills in Ghana. The difference may be due to the mode of According to this study using the locally selection of the logs for the two reports. manufactured wood mizer, it ranges from 54.4% to 69.15% for all logs and 64.5 and This is true if the former reports are compared to 87.2% for the sound logs. the result of the sound logs of the latter which recorded a range of 87.2%, and 64.5% with a The mean recovery was 62.7% for all logs and grand mean of 76.5 which are higher than 76.5 for the sound logs. Owusu’s study.
Effectiveness of the machine.
According to the report of Owusu et al (2011), The average volume recovered per minute for all the average rate of recovery is 1.52m3/hr logs of the three species was 0.007m3/min which is which is equivalent to 36m3/day using the equivalent to 0.4050m3/hr and 9.721037m3/day. foreign wood mizer which is higher than the 9.72103m3/day of this study. The mean volume recovered per minute for all sound logs of the tree species was 0.00815m3/min, 0.48893m3/hr and 11.7344m3/day . The difference in the rate of recovery may be attributed to the different motor system used by different wood mizer machines.
Comparison with other machines. Logosaw with attachment on the other hand, had an As indicate by Owusu et al (20011) study, average recovery of 0.43m3/hr. and 10.32m3/day as chainsaw has an average rate of recovery of reported in Owusu et al, (2011) 1.85m3/hr. and 30m3/day. The variation of the two results may be due to This rate of recovery is smaller than the the difference source of power used for two 0.4889m3/hr. and 11.734m3/day of the sound logs of machines. this study but higher 0.405m3/hr. and 9.721m3/day of all the logs of this study. The locally manufacture ban saw uses electricity as source of power whilst chainsaw used pre-mixed of petrol and engine oil as fuel The variation in the two result may be due to the defects which was pronounce in most of the logs of for generating it’s power. this study hence the lower value recorded for the latter than the former in terms of all logs of this study
In terms of efficiency the locally manufactured It is recommended that, the machine should be used as an artisanal milling technology to the chainsaw for the supply band saw was efficient since it had average of wood to the local market. recovery of 62.7% for all species and a higher recovery of 76.5% for sound logs. An inbuilt headrig or log turning mechanism should be attached to the machine to improve on the loading time. The diameter of the logs did not appear to have much influence on the rate of recovery. However Studies should be conducted on the cost and the economic lumber recovery was significantly affected by lifespan of the machine. species. A pulley system should be attached to the machine to be use as an alternative mechanism of feeding logs to the The machine was found to be slow in processing machine tray instead of humans, to reduce the healthy risk lumber. This speed may affect its competitiveness to humans as well as save processing time. in the market with imported wood mizer.
Structure of wood mizer
Asamah Frank Geoge.2011. Forests in danger as timber demand surges. reports from Accra on the government's measures to contain the situation
Denig J.,(1993): Small sawmill Hand book. Published by Miller Freeman.
F. W. Owusu, J. K. Appiah, L. Damnyag and D. Blay.(2011):Comparative analysis of recovery efficiencies of some milling techniques in Ghana.. Ghana J. Forestry, Vol. 27, 2011, 87-100
Gyimah, R. and Adu, G. A. (2009) A pilot study on sawn wood conversion efficiency in selected sawmills in Ghana. A draft report presented at a National workshop in Kumasi, March 2009. 52pp. Trees in the ghost forest project