An eight-member Management Board for National Bamboo and Rattan Artisans Association (NBRAA), to develop a regulatory framework to make it a result-oriented sector, was inaugurated in Accra on Thursday.
It was to ensure acquisition of raw materials from credible sources to save the dwindling bamboo resources and enforce measures instituted by government to halt indiscriminate exploitation of the resource to neighbouring countries.
NBRAA is made up of artisans who manufacture office and household items including furniture, basket and bed from bamboo and rattan.
The Board is under the chairmanship of Warrant Officer Class One Yaw Darko (Rtd).
The other members are; Mr. Stephen Owusu, Vice Chairman, Mr. Vincent Mawuli, Secretary, Mr. Samuel Opoku, Assistant Secretary, Mr. George E.
Boateng, Organiser and Mr. Osei Mensah, Assistant Organiser.
The rest are; Mr. Seth Boakye, Financial Secretary and Mr Benjamin Ababio, Assistant Financial Secretary.
Mr Henry Ford Kamel, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources), inaugurating the Board, called on them to formulate policies to govern their operations to enhance product quality to meet international standards.
He asked them to collaborate with other stakeholders to organise periodic training programmes for the members to be abreast with modern trends in their operations.
"You should be able to create a common bamboo and rattan market in each region to showcase products for the public," he said.
Mr Kamel noted that government had identified the sector as a key source of sustainable employment for the youth.
"Taking a cue from vibrant bamboo industries in China and Ethiopia, the nation could rub shoulders with them if potentials in the industry are effectively harnessed. If other nations have done it, players in the have no
excuse for under-performance," he said.
Mr Kamel noted that revamping the industry would not only reduce unemployment but help to turn around the continued decline of the nation's
forestry.
"Even though government has initiated efforts to address the wood deficit problem through the National Forest Plantation Development Programme there is the need to explore alternative wood resources which have shorter gestation periods to supplement the reforestation initiative," he said.
Mr Kamel said plans were far advanced to acquire a 3.5 acre land at Ayi-Mensah in the Greater Accra Region to relocate artisans and craftsmen operating along the streets in the metropolis.
He announced that government in collaboration with the International Network of Bamboo and Rattan would build a common rattan facility centre at the Kumasi Culture Centre.
WO1 Darko expressed appreciation to the government and pledged the commitment of members to work hard to achieve their objectives.