Forest Products, Livelihoods and Conservation

Charles Adu-Anning 269

The production processes and techniques employed differ little within the

industry. Thus, the techniques used in Ghana can be grouped into the following

processes (Page 1973; Oteng-Amoako and Obiri-Darko 2001).

• Raw material processing and storage of the cane in the form of either
  bundles or singles.


• Rough deglazing, or removal of the spiny leaf sheathes and hard, shiny,
  silicified epidermis.


• Machine room operations, whereby the stock from the rough deglaze is
  shaped or moulded into final dimensions through application of heat
  from liquefied petroleum gas stoves.


• Assembly, whereby all parts previously prepared are collected and
  assembled into final products. This section is equipped with jigs, clamps
  and fixtures.


• Finishing to enhance beauty and provide extra protection. The basic
  operations in furniture finishing are staining, colouring, painting, filling
  and sealing.

MARKETING AND TRADING

Two main types of rattan trading were identified, raw rattan and processed

rattan trade. At the time of the surveys (2000) raw rattans were scarce and

processors claimed they often had to fight over the few bundles that were

available. They indicated that this scarcity had persisted for quite some time

and that no one knew when the situation was going to improve. In this regard

it is clear that the rattan resource is becoming depleted, which underscores

the need for plantations to be established.

Raw rattan trade

Raw rattan is marketed in rural or urban markets in bundles of 25 to 40 sticks,

usually being sold directly by a leader of the collection team. It is also supplied

directly to processors either by order or under direct contract. The raw rattans

are now in short supply and processors have to queue and fight for them. The

cost of raw rattans is shown in Table 2.

Species Quantity Amount (cedis)

Laccosperma secundiflorum Bundle of 20 pieces 50,000

Eremospatha macrocarpa Bundle of 80 pieces 50,000

Table 2. Cost of raw rattans

US$1 = 6,550 cedis

Processed rattan trade

Finished products are marketed mostly in the urban centres. This trade involves

the sale of products like furniture, laundry baskets, shopping and flower

baskets, serving trays, dining sets etc. (Photos 1 and 2). The processors, based

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