FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CHOICE OF TIMBER FOR FURNITURE AND JOINERY PRODUCTION IN GHANA
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE CHOICE OF TIMBER FOR FURNITURE AND JOINERY PRODUCTION IN GHANA
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Date
2015
Authors
Effah, Bernard
Boampong, Ernest
Antwi, Kwaku
Nti Asamoah, Jack
Boadi Asante, Alfred
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Publisher
European Journal of Engineering and Technology
Abstract
The local timber industry in Ghana has for some time now experienced major challenges that
have subjected the sector to severe pressure regarding raw material unavailability and a
struggle for efficient use of the limited available timber. This study investigated the
availability of timber species and their sizes in two local timber markets and the factors that
influence their selection for furniture and joinery production. A cross-sectional survey study
which used questionnaire, observation and photography was employed. Random Systematic
sampling methods was used to select a realised sample of 306 respondents from an infinite
population comprising of timber processors, timber sellers and consumers from the study
sites. From the study, out of thirty-two species that were outlined, twenty-two of them were
found to be available on the markets. Durability, appearance, quality and processability were
the most influential factors for the specification and selection of the species for furniture and
joinery production. Affordability, area of usage and informed decision were the least
influential factors. Seven common sawn lumber sizes and the actual sizes on display at the
markets showed that thickness sizes were less by 5mm for four sizes. The width sizes for all
the observed pieces were less by 5-20mm for all the seven sizes. It was concluded that the
trend of availability of the species on the markets for furniture and joinery production is
attributed to the knowledge on the utilization of the species and the easiness to obtain by the
dealers whiles most wood users buy lumber without checking if the sizes are actual as
indicated. There is therefore the need to increase utilization of a wide number of species,
especially lesser-used species (LUS) to help prevent creaming for the few traditional high
value species.
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Citation
Boampong, E., Effah, B., Antwi, K., Asamoah, J. N., & Asante, A. B. (2015). Factors influencing the choice of timber for furniture and joinery production in Ghana. European journal of engineering and technology, 3(5).