Company to assist wood processing industry

Accra, May 20, GNA- An Accra-based advertising agency, Key Advertising is to organize an awards night in September this year to award deserving organizations and individuals in the furniture and woodcarving industry. Dubbed: "FURNICARVE 2004", the event would be held under the theme, "Sustainable Development in the Wood Processing Industry, A key to Wealth Creation Through the Private Sector."

According to the organizers of the event, it is aimed at recognizing the efforts of individuals and companies who have contributed to the promotion of the wood procession industry as well as encouraging the use of well-preserved raw materials for production that could stand the test of time.

Mr. Ebenezer Akuaku, Executive Director of Key Advertising told newsmen that the Awards Night would bring to the fore the need to help sustain the country's fast depleting forest and to ensure availability of raw materials to sustain the wood industry.

He stated that the country has excellent wood carvers and carpenters whose efforts need to be recognized, encouraged and introduced to the world market to enable them to compete with their counterparts all over the world.

Mr. Akuaku said his outfit would liaise with the Ministries of Lands and Forestry, Private Sector Development and Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City to ensure that more products of woodcarvers and carpenters are exported for the needed foreign exchange to boost the economy.

He noted that the country could not continue to depend solely on the export of cocoa, coffee and a few other non-traditional crops as its export commodities on the international market.

Mr. Akauku stated that if well-harnessed, the woodcarving and furniture industry are potentials which could redeem the country from its economic hardships and called on all stakeholders harmonise efforts to develop the sector.

He said in this regard, a workshop would be held as part of the event to educate people in the industry about the proper ways of preserving wood and the importance of afforestation to ensure the sustainability of the wood procession industry.

In addition, a photo exhibition of some of the finest products of some woodcarvers and carpenters would be mounted to generate the interest of both Ghanaians and foreigners in Ghanaian artifacts. Mr. Akauku said that the awards night would be his outfit's modest contribution to the development of the private sector and called on all stakeholders in the wood processing industry to assist them to make their dream a reality.

He said they intend to seek collaboration with organisations such as the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Ghana Export Promotion Centre to ensure that Ghanaian processed wood products reach every part of the world. Mr. Akuaku added that the Key Advertising Agency would organize FUNICARVE every year to ensure competitiveness in the wood procession industry.