In Ghana, the exploitation of timber is limited to a few of the over 300 known species. Majority of the species are not being utilized because their properties (including physical, mechanical and machining properties) are not known. Due to this, sawmills hardly process these lesser used species. To avoid the overexploitation of commercially known species the use of lesser known ones is inevitable. The objective of the study was to assess the capacity of the sawmills and carpentry workshops in terms of their machinery to process lesser used timber species for efficient utilization. Eight (8) of the sawmills in Kumasi, Ghana were randomly selected and questionnaires were administered and interviews conducted. Forty-five (45) carpenters granted interview and responded to questionnaires that were administered.The sawmills have the needed cutting and processing machinery for producing lumber from commercially known species but not the lesser known ones. Some sawmills expressed difficulty in sawing some lesser used timber species due to their extreme hardness and smaller diameter sizes even though they possess adequate strength for utilization. Most of the carpentry workshops (60%) use only simple hand tools for processing which makes the utilization of these lesser known species in construction very difficult. The use of advanced technology and efficient processing techniques need to be encouraged for the processing of these species. This will ensure efficient utilization in order to reduce the overexploitation of the commercial (traditional) timber species.

Timber yield determination and allocation in the selection forest of Ghana has been on an interim basis due mainly to paucity of stand increment and mortality data. The current method, which is also an interim measure. was developed at the Forestry Planning Office in 1990 to replace the minimum felling diameter limit introduced in 1970 to salvage the over-mature trees over a period of 15 years. This paper reviews the mathematical logic of the current interim yield formula. The formula is modified by considering current data on mortality, felling cycle and time of passage. The idea of optimizing yield by number of stems per hectare is also applied in this revised version. The study reveals that one important premise in the derivation of the current interim formula was put in an incorrect algebraic form. resulting in an over-allocation of yield for individual species. A comparative analysis of the original and revised forms of the yield formula indicates that the latter is more effective in ensuring sustainability and is easily adaptable to different forest types, stocking levels and management prescription of felling cycle. /n the revised form, the effect of the ratio between felling cycle and time of passage (FIP) on yield is very significant. To fine-tune the revised form. more accurate data on the time of passage for the various species of different diameter classes in different forest types are essential requirements.

A survey of 50 different sized sawmills in and around Kumasi (Ashanti region) and Takoradi (Western region) indicated that as many as eight anti-sapstain and 10 anti-borer chemicals were used mostly by dipping application for the control of sapstain and borer attack in white coloured logs and sawn timber species. Nearly 38 % of the companies still use pentachlorophenol and its derivatives, in spite of their hazardous nature and their ban in many countries. Problems associated with the use of chemicals at sawmills include safety measures associated with handling of chemicals, disposal of effluent, checking of chemical concentration being 1 d for treatment and handling of treated wood. The development of periodic workshops for treatment plant workers to address these and other problems in the industry is recommended. It is further recommended that a search for effective antisapstain and antiborer chemicals be made to replace the banned pentachlorophenol.

One issue, which is increasingly being noted as fundamentally essential for any effective community participation and negotiation process but has for long evaded policy research attention, is community representation in forest management decision-making. This paper, responding to the limited attention given to the concept attempts to provide a theoretical review of the subject in the context of social responsibility agreement negotiations in Ghana and to suggest lessons for effective community representation in forest policy and management negotiations. The paper borrows extensively from a research conducted in the Domi River Forest Reserve area, which explored the expectation and reality of how communities were represented in the social responsibility agreement (SRA) negotiation for the award of Timber Utilisation Contracts in Ghana. In addition, the paper has extensively reviewed literature to propose that community representation should focus on defining, both in spatial and social sense, the boundary of the term 'community', who represents the community (representatives), what is being represented (content) and how it is being represented (process). The paper argues that an appropriate framework for community representation is one that explicitly and unambiguously defines 'who is to be represented', establishes and presents collective community interest and ensures the 'selection' of legitimate and accountable representatives. The paper provides an appropriate framework and lessons to guide policy 'makers' and practitioners in forest policy and management planning and implementation to ensuring effective representation and participation of communities.