Martin Amoah

Firewood consumption pattern, availability and coping strategies adopted to mitigate firewood scarcity: a case of rural households in Ghana

Firewood is the dominant fuel type used by rural households in Ghana. However, the scarcity of firewood species has raised concerns about the sustainable use of this fuel type. This study investigated the firewood consumption pattern, firewood species used by rural households in the past and those presently in use and compared the strategies being adopted by households to mitigate firewood scarcity. Using multistage random sampling technique, 240 households were sampled from 12 rural communities 6 from the semi-deciduous ecological zone and 6 from the coastal savanna ecological zone. Firewood consumption (1.62–2.77 kg/capita/day) is higher than the figure reported earlier (1.0 kg/capita/day) in Ghana and this could be due to changing family size and structure and also to the relatively low quality of firewood in use presently. Geographical location and availability of alternative and complementary fuels are important determinants of firewood consumption pattern. The number of tree species used for firewood by rural households has increased by 12% in the last 20 years in the semi-deciduous zone, but has reduced to 16% in the coastal savanna zone and this reflects the difference in floristic richness of the two ecological zones. In both samples, even though an impressive number of fruit and exotic species was reported being used for firewood, the use of such species was limited to a few households, an indication of less desirability of such species. Tree planting appears to be the most sustainable problem-solving coping strategy adopted by rural households even though this strategy is practiced by a small percentage. Policies aimed at encouraging rural households to engage in tree planting and adopt the use of alternative fuels could ensure sustainable use of biomass for fuel.

Successes and Challenges in Industrial Clusters: Some Empirical Evidence from Wood Industrial Cluster in Kumasi, Ghana

This study examined some successes and challenges of a wood cluster in Kumasi, Ghana. A concurrent mixed method comprising survey, regression analysis, and correlation analysis were adopted to probe into how the effects of interconnections among firms in the cluster, the successes chalked and the challenges firms face in the cluster. Results showed significant (p < 0.001) interconnections among actors contributed to significant increase in productivity, sales and profit margins of the firms. Majority (93.4%) of respondents affirmed appreciable increases in sales and profit margins demonstrating that the cluster has been a major driver of economic growth. Permanent site for the artisans and other actors was the major benefit, provided by the cluster. However, lack of access to bank loans, timber, and waste management facility, promoting and marketing of products are some challenges associated with the cluster. Interventions from government and other agencies are required to create the enabling environment to attract investors that can help in addressing the challenges so as to stimulate growth of the wood and furniture enterprises in the cluster as they have greater potential for Ghana’s economic development.

Net calorific values and mineral concentration of thirteen tree and shrub species in Ghana

ABSTRACT Obtaining accurate and reliable information on biomass characteristics of tree species is important as it aids in selecting plant species that optimize fuel production for bioenergy. In this study, the net calorific value (NCV) and mineral concentration of 13 plant species selected from the Guinea savanna ecological zone of Ghana were investigated. Significant variation in NCV across the species components was found, with branch wood from most of the species exhibiting higher values compared to stem wood or the bark tissues. Accurate and reliable information on plant biomass could therefore be obtained through plant partitioning. High mobility of Zn and Pb after uptake was observed in the studied species. Apart from Cd whose concentrations in the species exceeded the recommended levels, no toxic levels were observed for the rest of the heavy metals. Thus, the major drawbacks in the use of the species as biomass resource are their higher concentrations of Cd and to some extent, higher ash contents. On account of the relatively high NCV, low ash content and low mineral concentrations, D. microcarpum, and C. febrifuga were found to be most suitable candidates for biomass production and subsequent bioenergy optimization in the Guinea savanna of Ghana.

Variation in bending strength properties in stem and branch woods as influenced by density and moisture levels in Entandrophragma cylindricum

ABSTRACT Branchwood is being exploited as a supplement to stemwood in wood products manufacturing, and the wood’s bending strength properties are vital for structural and non-structural applications. Non-destructive methods are being adopted in determining wood properties, and wood density and moisture content are two variables that could be useful. This study assessed the influence of density and moisture content (MC) on the Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) and Modulus of Rupture (MOR) of branch and stem woods of Entandrophragma cylindricum (sapele) tested at two moisture levels (10 ± 4% MC and 17 ± 3% MC). Density was determined in accordance with ISO 3131. To determine bending strength properties, BS 373 was followed, using an INSTRON TCM Machine with a crosshead speed of 6.6 mm per minute. Results indicated that branchwood has higher density than its stemwood counterparts. MOE and MOR of both wood types were significantly higher at 10 ± 4% MC than their counterparts at 17 ± 3% MC. Differences in MOE and MOR between the wood types were not significant, although the branchwood had 87% and 93% respectively of the MOE and MOR of stemwood. From the two-way ANOVA, MC had a significant effect (P < 0.05) but wood type and the interactions of wood type and MC did not have a significant effect on MOE and MOR of stem and branch woods. The predictive powers of MC and density as a combined predictor for estimating bending strength properties were higher for branchwood than stemwood. Although density of E. cylindricum branchwood was significantly higher than its stemwood counterpart that did not translate into significant differences between MOE and MOR of branchwood and stemwood.