Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3
MATERIALS AND ARTEFACTS PRODUCTION IN WOODWORK INDUSTRY IN GHANA
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MATERIALS AND ARTEFACTS PRODUCTION IN WOODWORK INDUSTRY IN GHANA
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Ghana app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: Applied Technology
Class: SHS 3
Term: 2nd Term
Week: 4
Grade code: 3.4.2.LI.6
Strand code: 4
Sub-strand code: 2
Content standard code: 3.4.2.CS.1
Indicator code: 3.4.2.LI.6
Theme: WOOD TECHNOLOGY
Subtheme: MATERIALS AND ARTEFACTS PRODUCTION IN WOODWORK INDUSTRY IN GHANA
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Our Ghanaian forests are rich sources of valuable materials. While we often think of famous timber like Odum, Mahogany, and Sapele, our forests offer so much more. This lesson explores two vital but often overlooked categories of forest resources: Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and Lesser-Known/Lesser-Used Timber Species (LKS/LUS). Understanding these materials is crucial for sustainable development, creating new economic opportunities for artisans, and reducing the pressure on our primary timber species, thus protecting our environment for future generations. By embracing these alternative materials, we can build a more resilient and innovative woodwork industry in Ghana.
This lesson is divided into two main parts: Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and Lesser-Known/Lesser-Used Timber Species (LKS/LUS). Part 1: Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs)
A. What are NTFPs? Non-Timber Forest Products are all biological materials, other than the main timber (the trunk of the tree), that are harvested from forests for human use. Think of it this way: if you go into a forest and collect something valuable that isn't a log of wood, you are likely collecting an NTFP. They include plants, parts of plants (leaves, bark, roots), fungi, animals, and other resources.
B. Sources and Examples of NTFPs in Ghana Our forests, from the high forest zones in the Ashanti and Western Regions to the savannah woodlands in the North, are abundant with NTFPs.
| NTFP Example | Common Local Name(s) | Source/Description | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Rattan / Cane | `Ataa`, `Mbaa` | A climbing palm that grows in tropical forests. Its long, flexible stems are harvested. | | Bamboo | `Pampuro` | A type of fast-growing grass with a hollow, woody stem. Very common across Ghana. | | Chewing Sticks | `Sokodua` | Twigs and roots from various plants, like *Garcinia kola* (Tweapea), used for dental hygiene. | | Medicinal Plants | (Various) | Leaves, bark, and roots from trees like Neem (`Dua gyane`), *Cryptolepis* (Nibima), etc. | | Sponges | `Sapor` | The fibrous skeleton of the Luffa plant, often found on the fringes of forests. | | Wraps & Thatching | `Ahaban` | Large, broad leaves from plants like the Marantaceae family, used for wrapping food (e.g., waakye) and for roofing. | | Forest Foods | (Various) | Edible products like mushrooms (`atwere`), snails (`nwa`), honey, and various fruits and nuts. |