THE POTENTIAL OF BAMBOO FOR THE RESTORATION OF DEGRADED LANDSCAPE IN GHANA

BY: DR. KWAKYE AMEYAW

OPERATIONS MANAGERFORESTRY COMMISSION

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OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION

INTRODUCTION

THE BAMBOO RESOURCE SITUATION IN GHANA

THE SIGNIFICANCE/POTENTIAL OF BAMBOO FOR

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN GHANA

SOCIO-ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

SOCIO-ECONOMIC POTENTIAL

ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE

ENVIRONMENTAL POTENTIAL

CHALLENGES CONFRONTING BAMBOO

CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES AND INDUSTRY

PROMOTION IN GHANA

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OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION

GOVERNMENTAL INTERVENTION TO PROTECT, MANAGE AND DEVELOP BAMBOO RESOURCES IN GHANA

INTERVENTIONS INTRODUCED TO PROMOTE THE USE OF BAMBOO FOR THE RESTORATION OF DEGRADED SITES IN GHANA

FUTURE AND CURRENT STATUS OF BAMBOO PLANTATIONS DEVELOPMENT IN GHANA

FACTORS INHIBITING BAMBOO PLANTATION DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION IN GHANA

CONCLUSION

WAY FORWARD FOR HARNESSING THE POTENTIAL OF BAMBOO RESOURCES IN GHANA

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1. INTRODUCTION

Bamboo is an amazing plant though classified as a

grass due to its physiological and anatomical

properties. It is the fastest growing plant (grass) ever

known in the world. It matures within 3-5 years

depending on the type of species, ecological, as well

as the prevailing edaphic and climatic factors.

The potential of bamboo to help in addressing wood

shortage and environmental problems is greatly

acknowledged in Ghana. Awareness creation,

research, local and international training are

contributing to improved processing and utilization of

bamboo resources in Ghana, although at a slower

pace.

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2. THE BAMBOO RESOURCE SITUATION GHANA

Eight indigenous species have been identified in Ghana namely, Bambusa vulgaris ( green and yellow types), Bambusa pervariabilis, Bambusa bambos, Bambusaarundinacea, Bambusa multiplex, Dendrocalamusstrictus, Oxythenanthera abyssinica.

Bambusa vulgaris (the green type) is the most commonin Ghana.

It accounts for 95% of the total bamboo species inGhana.

Although inventory has not been done, bambooresources are estimated to cover a total land area ofabout 300,000ha ( Ebanyenle, 2005).

The bulk of these is found in forest vegetation zonesmostly in Western, Eastern, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo andparts of the Central and Volta Regions.

In the three Northern regions, the commonest species isthe Oxythenanthera abyssinica species.

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2. THE BAMBOO RESOURCE SITUATION GHANA CONT’D

Bambusa Vulgaris Stands (Green & yellow)

Oxythenanthera abyss

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ENDEMIC ZONES FOR BAMBOO NATURAL STANDS

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LEGEND

High density natural stand areas

High potential for bamboo plantation

Medium potential for bamboo plantation

Low Potential for bamboo plantation

3. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BAMBOO FOR SUSTAINABLE

DEVELOPMENT IN GHANA

3A. SOCIO-ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

1. It provides employment opportunities for culm

harvesters, retailers/wholesalers and to the various

end users such as scaffoldings for building and pillar

guides in road constructions.

2. Traditionally, artisans use the culms for furniture,

artifacts and other household items.

3. Bamboo processing in Ghana is based on low

technology hence utilization is at the raw culm level.

Value addition to raw bamboo is therefore a key

challenge to be addressed.

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3B. SOCIO-ECONOMIC POTENTIALS

Bamboo shoots are edible and very nutritious.

The shoots serve as major sources of vegetable for

most Asian countries and are known to be highly

delicious and nutritious

Similarly, they can potentially feature prominently in

the diets of Ghanaians if they (Ghanaians) are

sensitized to appreciate its nutritional value and

health benefits.

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3B. SOCIO-ECONOMIC POTENTIALS CONT’D

Exporters of the products to the international market earn millions of dollars in foreign exchange from the shoots.

The production of bamboo shoots therefore has the potential to contribute to creation of employment, poverty reduction and the enhancement of food security in Ghana. e.g. as in China where about 40% of rural dwellers in China are bamboo cultivators invariably producing bamboo shoots for food and the subsequent production of culms to feed their bamboo factories.

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3B. SOCIO-ECONOMIC POTENTIALS

Medicinally, various parts of the grass have been

tested and found effective in curing many

ailments.

Its activated charcoal is very effective for curing

gastrointestinal problems particularly that of the

liver and kidney.

Extracts of active ingredients from bamboo arealso widely used in pharmaceutical firms all over

the world.

Similarly, Ghana can potentially increase the

medicinal plant based resources if for example,

the Center for Scientific Research into PlantMedicine is equipped to research into the use of

bamboo for medicines.

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USES OF BAMBOO IN GHANA 12

Bamboo culms ready for processing Bamboo sheds as community market.

USES OF BAMBOO IN GHANA

Bamboo Bicycles Bamboo Floor Mats

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USES OF BAMBOO IN GHANA

Bamboo charcoal production Bamboo Furniture & Craft

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USES OF BAMBOO IN GHANA

Bamboo Flutes. Bamboo Flooring

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3C. ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE

Bamboo forms a canopy, provides shade, and

improves the micro climatic conditions anywhere

they are planted.

In mined out lands, bamboo serves as an excellent

restoration plant/grass than any other known plants

species. They are capable of surviving in rocky and

even boggy lands.

Hence no matter how degraded, infertile or

unsuitable a land is, bamboo can be sued to

restore the productive functions of it.

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3C. ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE

In Ghana, natural stands of bamboo protect most of

our water bodies and prevent or reduce the rate of

evaporation.

This is perhaps, one of the most common natural

environmental uses of bamboo in the country which can be

emulated across the country through deliberate planting.

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Bambusa vulgaris

3C. ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE

Bamboo, by virtue of its gregarious nature can

serve as an excellent material for rehabilitating

degraded lands.

It produces a lot of biomass which helps to

stabilize soil temperature and checks soil erosion.

The roots efficiently bind soil particles together

and prevent or better still reduces siltation of

water bodies.

Environmentally, Ghana can fully exploit the

potentials of bamboo to address the current

environmental challenges , especially that whichrelates to illegal mining and other environmentally

degrading activities.

Ghana can adopt the Chinese model in which

Dendrocalamus oldhamii and several other

species have been planted along water bodiesto protect them from excessive evaporation.

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4. CHALLENGES CONFRONTING BAMBOO

CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES AND INDUSTRY

PROMOTION IN GHANA

BAMBOO CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES

The natural bamboo resources in Ghana are known to be

dwindling at a fast rate due to the following reasons:

Ignorance about their socio-economic and

environmental importance culminating in the

underutilization of the resources.

Deliberate destruction and indiscriminate exploitation to

give way to the cultivation of agricultural crops.

Destruction by persistent wildfires.

Illegal mining activities along the banks of major rivers

Bamboo destruction for road and infrastructural

development expansion.

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EVIDENCE OF DESTRUCTION

Unmanaged Stand Complete Destruction

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5. GOVERNMENTAL INTERVENTION TO PROTECT,

MANAGE AND DEVELOP BAMBOO RESOURCES

IN GHANA

The Government of Ghana in 2002,

established the Bamboo and Rattan

Development Program (BARDADEP) under

the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

The overall goal of the Program has been to:

Harness the potential of bamboo for

contributing to poverty alleviation, economic

development, and to ensure sustainable

management of the country’s forest

resources.

Increase income and employment

opportunities for the rural poor.

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5. GOVERNMENTAL INTERVENTION TO PROTECT,

MANAGE AND DEVELOP BAMBOO RESOURCES

IN GHANA

The specific Program objectives are meantto achieve the following:

Promote bamboo and rattan plantationand industry development as acomplement to the wood industry so asto reduce the pressure on the naturalforest for timber

Increase income and employmentopportunities for the rural poor.

Contribute to forest biodiversityconservation and resource sustainability.

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5. GOVERNMENTAL INTERVENTION TO PROTECT,

MANAGE AND DEVELOP BAMBOO RESOURCES

IN GHANA

COMPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM

The five (5) major components of the program are as follows:

Bamboo and Rattan Development Program (BARADEP) Coordination and Management office fully established and operational since 2006.

Creation of stakeholder awareness on the potential of bamboo and rattan resources.

Development of extensive Bamboo & Rattan plantations.

Promotion of processing and utilization of bamboo and rattan resources.

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5. GOVERNMENTAL INTERVENTION TO PROTECT,

MANAGE AND DEVELOP BAMBOO RESOURCES IN

GHANA CONTN’D Enhancement of adaptive research in Bamboo and

Rattan resources.

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GUADUA CHACOENSIS

(IN THE BAMBUSETUM AT FORIG’s BOBIRI RESEARCH STATION)

6. INTERVENTIONS INTRODUCED TO PROMOTE THE USE OF

BAMBOO FOR THE RESTORATION OF DEGRADED SITES IN GHANA

Ghana, in 2003 imported the under-listed 18 species of bamboo

from Hawaii for trial and research purposes.

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No. Name of Species

1 Bambusa textilis

2 Bambusa edulis

3 Bambusa latiflorus

4 Bambusa burmanica

5 Bambusa oldhami

6 Dendrocalamus strictus

7 Dendrocalamus membranaceous

8 Dendrocalamus brandisii

9 Dendrocalamus asper

10 Guadua angustifolia

11 Thyrostachis siamensis

12 Nustus

13 Brashladrum

14 Bambusa ventricosa

15 Bambusa mitans

16 Dendrocalamus latiflorus

17 Guadua chacoerisis

18 Gingantochloa albociliata

6. INTERVENTIONS INTRODUCED TO PROMOTE

THE USE OF BAMBOO FOR THE RESTORATION OF

DEGRADED SITES IN GHANA CONT’D

The rationale was to augment the natural

bamboo stock and to promote bamboo

plantations development.

Today, all the 18 species have successfully

adapted to local climatic conditions and are

doing well especially in the forest ecosystems.

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INTERVENTIONS INTRODUCED TO PROMOTE THE

USE OF BAMBOO FOR THE RESTORATION OF

DEGRADED SITES IN GHANA CONT’D

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INBAR project with support from the Forestry Commission on bamboo

agroforest within the transitional zone of Ghana

Bema bamboo species which are just 20months old.

9.FUTURE AND CURRENT STATUS OF BAMBOO

PLANTATIONS DEVELOPMENT IN GHANA

The Ghana Forest Plantation Development

Strategic Plan has earmarked a target of 50,000

ha for bamboo plantations within the next 25

years.

Currently, the Ghana Forestry Commission and

BARADEP have jointly assisted many private

organizations and individuals to establish bamboo

plantations as per the under-listed details.

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NO.NAME OF COMPANY LOCATION

TOTAL

TARGET TO PLANT

TOTAL

AREA PLANTED

REMAINI

G AREA

TO BE PLANTED REMARKS

1Ecoplanet

Bamboo

North Bandai

Forest

Reserve

2,818.7 ha 650 ha2,168.7

ha

The remaining 2,168.7

ha is to be completed

by the end of the year

2016.

2Ecoplanet

Bamboo

Badai Hills

Forest

Reserve

7,804.6 ha -7,804.7

ha

Update on area planted

not yet available

3Darlow Ghana

LimitedNsuta 8 ha 8 ha 8 ha

Bamboo species trials intended to used for reforestation outside the forest reserve.

4

Gloria

Bamboo

Product

Nkawanda

Forest

Reserve

40 ha 1ha 39 ha Ongoing

5NtronangCommunity

Ntronang

Outside

forest reserve

30 ha 25 ha 5 haOngoing

6Irene Bamboo

Company

VE-

Gbedome

Outside

forest

reserve

30 ha 1 ha 29 ha Ongoing

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10. AVAILABILITY OF DEGRADED LANDSCAPES

POTENTIALLY SUITABLE FOR RESTORATION WITH BAMBOO

IN GHANA

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LOCATION AREA (ha)

On-reserve (High-forest Zone) 135,000

On-reserve (Savannah) 283,000

Off-reserve 2,680,000

Total 3,098,000

Lack of sustainable funding for bamboo plantation

development to ensure sustainable raw materials

availability for the industry.

Unpredictable raw materials from natural stands

due to the galloping rate of destruction.

Limited knowledge on potentials and uses of

bamboo resulting in low patronage in every aspect

of the resources.

Limited processing facilities/appropriate technology

for bamboo processing.

Sub-standard/inferior bamboo products due to lack

of skills and competencies for bamboo processing.

Lack of coordination between relevant

stakeholders.

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11. FACTORS INHIBITING BAMBOO PLANTATION

DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION IN GHANA.

12. CONCLUSION

Ghana has made some modest

achievements generally in bamboo

conservation.

However, there is much room for

improvement in protecting, developing

and managing the resources .

It is therefore appropriate for Ghana to

continue to draw inspirations from the

success stories in bamboo conservation

from China and other Asian countries to

improve on her current situation.

This has a tremendous potential to propel

the socio-economic development of the

country to greater heights.

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13. WAY FORWARD FOR HARNESSING THE POTENTIAL

OF BAMBOO RESOURCES IN GHANA

Intensify awareness creation on potential of bamboo

resources and the need for their protection

Intensify training on scientific management/harvesting

processing of bamboo resources

Promote innovativeness among craftsmen/artisans

Seek donor support to supplement funding from Ghana

Government for promoting and sustaining bamboo plantation

development activities.

Seek technical and financial assistance to improve on

technology and produce high-tech bamboo products

Improve coordination of research and bamboo conservation

activities across the country.

Accord the much needed top-most priority attention to

bamboo in the national forest plantation development

strategy which seeks to establish 50,000 hectares in twenty-five

(25) years.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR

ATTENTION