TY - JOUR

T1 - An estimation of national charcoal production

T2 - the case of Ghana

AU - Nketiah, K. S.

AU - Asante, J.

AU - Hansen, C. P.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 EDP Sciences. All rights reserved.

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - Accurate data on the production and sources of woodfuels is necessary to ensure sustainability. National level data is scanty in most sub-Saharan African countries. This research aimed to provide accurate data on charcoal production in Ghana and to develop a methodology that could serve as an inspiration for future assessments, in Ghana and beyond. The study compiled data over two years from Ghana Forestry Commission's records on charcoal quantities transported on the road (Charcoal Conveyance Certificates). This data was validated by mounting sentries 24 hours daily for two weeks in 2016 and 2018, respectively, along major charcoal transport routes to capture charcoal being transported without the certificate. Charcoal production not captured through the Charcoal Conveyance Certificate and the sentries was quantified from field observation and expert panel validation. Using these three methods, the study estimated a total annual production (2018) of 1 100 000 tonnes of charcoal for Ghana. This corresponds to 15.7 million m3of round wood equivalent. The implications of the study findings are discussed together with the pros and cons of the methods employed.

AB - Accurate data on the production and sources of woodfuels is necessary to ensure sustainability. National level data is scanty in most sub-Saharan African countries. This research aimed to provide accurate data on charcoal production in Ghana and to develop a methodology that could serve as an inspiration for future assessments, in Ghana and beyond. The study compiled data over two years from Ghana Forestry Commission's records on charcoal quantities transported on the road (Charcoal Conveyance Certificates). This data was validated by mounting sentries 24 hours daily for two weeks in 2016 and 2018, respectively, along major charcoal transport routes to capture charcoal being transported without the certificate. Charcoal production not captured through the Charcoal Conveyance Certificate and the sentries was quantified from field observation and expert panel validation. Using these three methods, the study estimated a total annual production (2018) of 1 100 000 tonnes of charcoal for Ghana. This corresponds to 15.7 million m3of round wood equivalent. The implications of the study findings are discussed together with the pros and cons of the methods employed.

KW - biomass energy

KW - conveyance

KW - forest products

KW - forest trade statistics

KW - informal sector

KW - woodfuels

U2 - 10.1505/146554822835224847

DO - 10.1505/146554822835224847

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85134244071

VL - 24

SP - 30

EP - 42

JO - International Forestry Review

JF - International Forestry Review

SN - 1465-5489

IS - 1

ER -