Forest Products, Livelihoods and Conservation

272 The rattan industry in the Ashanti and Western regions of Ghana

RULES AND REGULATIONS ON RATTAN PRODUCTION

Formal legislation

All members of communities in the immediate environs of a productive Forest

Reserve have usufruct rights to collect small quantities of rattan from the

reserve for domestic use. For the collection of commercial quantities, the

interested party or persons should comply with the following procedures:

• Identify the area where rattan would be collected.


• Apply for permit by writing to District Forest Manager.


• Forest Services Division staff verifies availability of rattan at chosen
  area.


• Pay royalty and permit fee, the amount of which usually depends on
  species and quantity, number of trips and the ability of the collector.
  Fee collection is under the supervision of the Forest Services Division.


• The successful applicant receives an Insurance of Conveyance certificate
  valid for three days for the transport of collected rattan from one
  place to another.

Besides these formal requirements, a token fee in the form of cash (5,000-

10,000 cedis) and/or a drink (schnapps) might also have to be paid to the

traditional chief or council of the area before collection is undertaken. The

amount varies from one area to another. However, indigenes and settlers of

the area do not pay any of these traditional charges.

Rattan associations

The rattan producers have formed an association to which all producers are

supposed to belong. Our survey indicated, however, that only about 50% of the

producers interviewed belonged to the association. The association is to foster

unity and good relation among members, control prices of raw rattan goods

and to regulate rattan harvesting to protect the stock and ensure sustainable

production from the natural forest. No local regulations or barriers were

identified to prevent individuals’ or households’ involvement in the production

of rattans. The only condition hinges on ability of the individual. Traders have

formed associations that have been in existence for more than 70 years with a

relatively high degree of participation of over 60%.

SUMMARY OF CONSTRAINTS OF THE RATTAN INDUSTRY

The following were the problems identified in the rattan sector:

• Depletion of the raw material base


• Expensive permit fees and royalties on rattan collection paid to the
  Ghana Forest Service Division


• Harassment of rattan collectors and processors by Forest Service staff
  in rural areas in the enforcement of permit fees


• Lack of appropriate area/land for processing


• Lack of standardised grading system


• Lack of suitable equipment

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