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INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL TIMBER ORGANIZATION
TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE INDIGENOUS MAHOGANY TIMBER PRODUCTION IN GHANA:
PD528/08Rev.1(F)
Completion Report
TitleTOWARDS SUSTAINABLE INDIGENOUS MAHOGANY TIMBER PRODUCTION IN GHANA: PHASE II, REFINING SILVICULTURAL
"TOOL KIT" AND PRACTICAL TRAINING FOR INDUSTRIAL-
Serial Number1
Host Government: GH
Executing Agency: FORESTRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF GHANA (FORIG)
Starting date of the project: 08/04/2010
Project Duration: 48
International Tropical Timber OrganizationInternational Organizations Center, 5th Floor - Pacifico-Yokohama 1-1-1, Minato-Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, 220-0012 Japan
Completion Report
Date:27/07/2016
Version:1.0
Executing Agency's full name:
FORESTRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF GHANA (FORIG)
Executing Agency's address:
P.O. BOX 63 KNUST
KUMASI, GHANA
Executing Agency's telephone:
2335160123
Executing Agency's fax:
2335160121
Executing Agency's email:
Information on Collaborating Agency(ies):
MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY (MTU) and SAMARTEX TIMBER AND PLYWOOD COMPANY Ltd
MTU Contact person: Andrew J. STORER (Associate Professor)
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, Michigan 49931-1295, USA
Tel: 9064872454
Fax: 9064872915
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.forest.mtu.edu
SAMARTEX Contact person: Richard KWAKU NSENKYIRE (Deputy General Manager)
Address: P.O. BOX 1
Samreboi, Ghana
Tel: 233277100144
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.samartex.com
Technical Staff / Scientific Staff:
No Staff
Disclaimer:
This report was prepared as an account of Project sponsored by ITTO and executed by the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana. Neither ITTO
nor FORIG thereof, nor any of their stakeholders, nor any individual makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or
responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any third party's use of results of the attached standards and reports or any information,
apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would
International Tropical Timber OrganizationInternational Organizations Center, 5th Floor - Pacifico-Yokohama 1-1-1, Minato-Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, 220-0012 Japan
Disclaimer:
not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific product, process, or service by trade name, or otherwise, does not
necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favouring by the EA thereof. The views and opinions of the EA expressed
herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Ghana Government or ITTO or any agency thereof.
International Tropical Timber OrganizationInternational Organizations Center, 5th Floor - Pacifico-Yokohama 1-1-1, Minato-Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, 220-0012 Japan
INTERNATIONAL TROPICAL TIMBERORGANIZATION
TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE INDIGENOUS MAHOGANY TIMBER PRODUCTION IN GHANA:
PD528/08Rev.1(F)
Completion ReportDate:27/07/2016
Version:1.0
Disclaimer
This report was prepared as an account of Project sponsored by ITTO and executed by the Forestry Research
Institute of Ghana. Neither ITTO nor FORIG thereof, nor any of their stakeholders, nor any individual makes any
warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or any
third party's use of results of the attached standards and reports or any information, apparatus, product, or process
disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. Reference herein to any specific
product, process, or service by trade name, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement,
recommendation, or favouring by the EA thereof. The views and opinions of the EA expressed herein do not
necessarily state or reflect those of the Ghana Government or ITTO or any agency thereof.
Executive Summary:
Sustainable supply and conservation of mahogany (Khaya spp.) are threatened by over-exploitation of natural
mahogany forests. Exacerbating the situation is the inability to establish mahogany plantations in their native range
as a result of the incidence of Hypsipyla robusta (mahogany shoot borer) pest. Mahogany shoot borer mostly kills
the main stem of the young trees, causing excessive forking and branching, contributing to the tree mortality. As a
consequence of the destructive activities of mahogany shoot borer, some entomologists have classified it as the
most important pest in tropical forestry.
This project sponsored by ITTO focuses on research that is being conducted aimed at developing an integrated pest
management strategy for mahogany shoot borer via plantation culture and can contribute to restoration and
conservation of African mahogany. The development objective is to improve the sustainability of indigenous
mahogany in Ghana by developing superior mahoganies that are ecologically adapted and insect tolerant and
expand our collaboration with industrial and community tree farmers. The specific objectives seek to refine our
silvicultural "tool Kit" to improve the ability to produce economically viable indigenous mahogany in mixed
plantations and to transfer this technology to Ghana's key industrial partners and community tree growers via a
practical "how to" cultivate indigenous mahoganies manual. The project expected outputs are:
1.Practical methods for mass production of selected superior Hypsipyla-sp-tolerant clones.
2.Seed production orchards established for each Khaya spp. and Entandrophragma spp.
3.Our silvicultural "tool kit" refined to optimize planting of mixed stands in the 4 major ecological zones.
4.Wood quality and lumber properties from mature plantation-grown mahoganies.
5.Socio-economic impacts of integrated agro-forestry plantations of mixed mahoganies with various short-term crops
are determined.
6.A practical "How to cultivate mahogany" in plantations manual is produced and International workshop Organized
International Tropical Timber OrganizationInternational Organizations Center, 5th Floor - Pacifico-Yokohama 1-1-1, Minato-Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, 220-0012 Japan
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Executive Summary:
Deliverables:
Outcomes of the project were disseminated to key stakeholders and partners of the project.
Research findings were published in reputable journals,
A practical handbook for plantation development in the tropics has been developed to guide farmers and other
stakeholders interested in establishing plantations.
Technologies for establishing mixed indigenous mahogany plantations have been developed.
Plantation stands of the indigenous mahogany in pure and mixtures with other important species have been
established across the major ecological zones of Ghana as demonstration plots.
Hypsipyla tolerant genotypes have been identified and techniques of cloning them through vegetative propagation
have been done.
Wood technological properties of mahogany have been documented into a handbook to promote policy making on
species to be included in future reforestation programmes and also to arouse interest of investors.
International conference on Sustainable production and management of mahogany in plantations in Tropical Africa
was organized in CSIR-FORIG with participants from Ghana, Cote DIvoire, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Malaysia, Thunen
Institute of Forest Genetics, Germany, Michigan Technological University, USA.
Thirty undergraduate students had internship on the project and twelve undergraduate theses were developed from
the project.
Five masters students were accepted on the project to facilitate their studies and research work.
Beneficiaries: Industries: Samartex Plywood and Timber company, ABTS Berekum, communities; Osiem Saviour
Church and Kranka, Forestry Commission, Private Plantations Investors.
The implementation of the mahogany project has been effective and educative as valuable information has been
provided for sustainable management of mahogany in plantations. Activities carried out so far shows much
progress in achieving the developmental objectives of the project. The project built active community participation
which has renewed the interest of other community farmers and tree growers to engage in future plantation
development programs with the establishment of indigenous species such as mahogany for sustainability of the
Ghana forest estate.
Context:
The forestry sector contributes about 6% of the gross domestic product, with timber from native mahoganies
contributing about 12% of these timber exports. The sector also employs directly and indirectly about 2.5 million
people in the forest industry. The forest cover of Ghana which used to be about 8 million hectares has been reduced
to a current state of about 2 million hectares. This reduction of the forest cover is due primarily to deforestation
which is mostly as a result of over-exploitation of the prime timber species (including the native mahoganies) of
Ghana. Current research on climate change has shown that deforestation alone contributes about 20% of the
carbon (IV) oxide component of the green-house gases. The project was sited in the high forest of Ghana with
experiments distributed across the three major ecological zones of Ghana. The project conformed to the overall goal
of Ghanas Forest and Wildlife Policy of 1994, which all the forest management related legislations, strategies,
programmes and projects in Ghana should support. The project supported the national forestry programme to
conserve and sustainably develop the nations forest
International Tropical Timber OrganizationInternational Organizations Center, 5th Floor - Pacifico-Yokohama 1-1-1, Minato-Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, 220-0012 Japan
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Context:
resources while maintaining environmental quality and perpetual flow of benefits to all segments of society. The
project also supported the Forestry Commission Collaborative Resource Management Policy and Strategy, with the
goal of working in partnership with different stakeholders, which enhances the management and development of
forest and wildlife resources and leads to equitable distribution of benefits.
Origin and Problem:
Mahogany (Meliaceae: Swietenidae) is a valuable tropical timber, but continued supply is threatened by
overexploitation of natural forest reserves and the prevention of successful plantation culture by a single pest
species, the shoot boring moth Hypsipyla robusta, that devastates young stands by killing main stems, causing
excessive forking and branching, and, in worst cases, contributing to mortality. In West Africa, mahogany plantations
are seriously frustrated by the shoot borer pest which feeds on actively growing apical shoots causing excessive
branching and at times killing the trees. Due the devastative effects on mahogany established stands in Ghana
were abandoned because there were no existing control interventions to the pest and for maintenance of the
stands. The damage caused by the pest is frequently cited as the cause of failure of native Meliaceae plantations in
Ghana. Lack of information on management of the pest drew stakeholders attention to call on research institution to
undertake more vibrant and experimental studies to resolve the Hysipyla menace. A project ITTO project PD105/01
Rev.3 (F) Phase I, was initiated in FORIG which aimed at developing an integrated strategy for reducing the impact
of shoot borers on the establishment of Khaya and Entandrophragma species in plantations in order to address pest
problem. Before this study, therefore, the production of African mahogany in plantations in West Africa was
practically impossible due to damage by shoot borer. The phase I of the project established that the Hysipyla
problem could be managed with sound and replicated experimental approaches with integrated management. The
second phase of the project was a follow up to the previous project which sought to improve the sustainability of
indigenous mahogany in Ghana by developing superior mahoganies that are ecologically adapted and insect
tolerant and expand our collaboration with industrial and community tree farmers for restoration of indigenous
mahogany species.
Project objectives and implementation strategy:
(i)The development objective of the project was to improve the sustainability of indigenous mahogany in Ghana by
developing superior mahoganies that are ecologically adapted and insect tolerant and expand our collaboration with
industrial and community tree farmers. This will allow rehabilitation of previously degraded and unsustainably logged
forests with indigenous mahogany species to restore ecological integrity of the upper Guinean forest of Ghana and
enable sustainable timber production.
(ii)The specific objective of the project was to refine our mahogany silvicultural Tool Kit to improve the ability to
produce economically viable indigenous mahogany in mixed plantations and to transfer this Technology to Ghanas
key industrial partners and community tree growers via a practical How to Cultivate Indigenous Mahoganies manual.
International Tropical Timber OrganizationInternational Organizations Center, 5th Floor - Pacifico-Yokohama 1-1-1, Minato-Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, 220-0012 Japan
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Project objectives and implementation strategy:
iii. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
The mahogany shoot borer is perhaps the most economically important insect pest in tropical forestry. The problem
has attracted a great deal of attention from foresters, ecologists, entomologists and plant breeders, but previous
attempts at managing Hypsipyla have largely been unsuccessful. Current efforts controlling the mahogany shoot
borer in West Africa and elsewhere have increased markedly with integrated management approaches which
includes the selection of pest resistant planting stocks combined with biological, chemical and silvicultural control
measures to minimize pest infestation if not alleviate it completely. In the context of shoot borers on mahogany,
resistance is defined as the ability of a plant to avoid, suppress, prevent, overcome or tolerate insect attack. In
previous research, FORIG implemented the project Towards sustainable timber production in Ghana: Stage 1.
Improving shoot borer resistance and developing silvicultural systems to maximize mahogany plantation successes.
Throughout the project implementation, some superior genotypes were identified in the fragmented forest of Ghana
coupled with the application of various silvicultural control measures. It is therefore necessary to that the experience
gained in Ghana, West Africa and neo-tropics, is applied and further developed to enhance the sustainability of the
mahogany resource. It is suggested that the use of a single control measure will not reduce the impact of Hypsipyla
to economic acceptable levels, and as part of integrated management approaches we refined our silvicultural
management tools which included identification and selection of pest resistant genotypes, planting of the indigenous
mahogany in mixed stands, biological control measures and use of insect repellent species in mixtures.
Thus, the concept underlying this project was to enhance the sustainability of mahogany timber through develop an
integrated pest management strategy for Hypsipyla in plantations of mahogany in Ghana improve the sustainability
of indigenous mahogany in Ghana by developing superior mahoganies that are ecologically adapted and insect
tolerant and expand our collaboration with industrial and community tree farmers. This will allow rehabilitation of
previously degraded and unsustainably logged forests with indigenous mahogany species to restore ecological
integrity of the upper Guinean forest of Ghana and enable sustainable timber production.
Among the strategies adapted by the project, selection of Hypsipyla-tolerant genotypes from the scarce
populations of the mahoganies in the natural forest. The project identified clones of the seven indigenous
mahoganies including K. grandifoliola, K. ivorensis, K. anthotheca, Entandrophragma utile, Entandrophragma
cylindricum, Entandrophragma angolense and Entandrophragma candollei.
Mass production of the selected genotypes was done through practical method such as nursery establishment of the
seeds and through vegetative propagation by cuttings and grafting. Seed production centers and orchards were
developed and some already existing provenance trials were converted into orchards with diverse genetic sources
of the Khaya and Entandrophragma species. To enhance conservation of forest and effective plantation
development, access to planting materials was key to the success of such programmes. In tropical forestry, the
irregular fruiting pattern of most trees and lack of quality seedling materials usually obstruct the effective
implementation of restoration programmes. Based on these inevitable challenges, the project took turns to address
any anticipated hindrances by establishing 3 hectares of additional seed orchards of the 7 major indigenous
mahoganies to supplement 5 hectares provenances converted into orchards which existed within the major
ecological zones of Ghana.
Mixed stands of mahoganies in companion with other species were intensified in the main ecological
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Project objectives and implementation strategy:
zones including the moist semi-deciduous, moist and wet evergreen, and the dry semi-deciduous ecological zone of
Ghana. Provenance experimental plots were established in different eco-zones of Ghana and trees with superior
growth characteristics and resistance to pest attacks were identified. The project team utilized various mixed
plantation designs including agroforestry system geared towards reducing the activities of the shoot borer incidence
which normally stunt the growth mahogany trees. Mixed species plantation is gaining interest due to benefits as
better site use, improvement of soil nutrients and less pest damage. The development of species mixtures may alter
plant suitability for growth of the pest, increase levels of natural enemies and eventually facilitate restoration of the
indigenous mahogany species which faces threat of Hypsipyla attack.
Silvicultural management techniques such as pruning, shade were applied in field trails to evaluate the impact on
reducing the pest incidence. Different mahogany stands were established and pruning treatments involving pruning
multiple shoots sprouted in response to Hypsipyla attacks to one main branch, two branches compared to their
controls was done to provide empirical data on the effects of pruning on productivity and pest tolerance of the
mahogany species. Previous research revealed that chemical control may be effective in reducing the shoot borer
attacks however cost of chemicals and longevity of the planted trees would have to be considered before its
application. Biodiversity conservation and maintenance a balance in the ecosystem necessitates that
environmentally friendly approaches should be considered in any management strategy adapted. Thus chemical
usage may be efficient in protecting nursery stock.
Other management strategies adapted in execution of the project was biological control measures. Biological
control measures involve the introduction of natural enemies of the pest such as pathogens, parasitoids and
predators which ends up feeding on the pest and thus limiting their intensity. Over the years, extensive studies on
natural enemies of H. robusta provided a basis for selecting the most promising agents for biological control
programs as such weaver ants were introduced to manage Hypsipyla larvae in the established plantations. It was
noted that the pest is host-specific in its attacks therefore Olfactory cues of Hypsipyla was studied
To arouse interest of industrial partners and private investors, wood quality studies of plantation grown mahogany
compared with natural ones was explored. Mahogany plantations often get attacked at the early stages of their
growth at times deforms and the trees. Determination of wood quality and lumber properties was very necessary as
it provided facts on the value of mature plantation grown mahoganies compared to the trees in natural forest of the
same age. In addition sawing characteristics of Hypsipyla infested mature logs of mahogany from plantation and
natural forest was examined. Anatomical and mechanical properties studies were also carried out on plantation and
naturally grown mahoganies of similar sizes.
Socioeconomic surveys were conducted to determine impacts of integrated agroforestry plantations of mixed
mahoganies with various short-term crops. Community farmers become interested and willing to participate in any
plantation programme that would improve their farming activities and livelihoods in the short term. The tree-crop
interface generates series of tangible and intangible benefits to enhance the overall productivity of the crops and
trees. When trees are mixed with crops in agroforestry system, the farm produce provides subsistence and benefits
from the trees supplements the short term benefit. Finding of the socioeconomic studies was disseminated to the
projects stakeholders including the farmers. Awareness creation in the farming communities promotes the easy
adaptation and active participation of community farmers in restoration
International Tropical Timber OrganizationInternational Organizations Center, 5th Floor - Pacifico-Yokohama 1-1-1, Minato-Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, 220-0012 Japan
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Project objectives and implementation strategy:
programmes with indigenous species like mahogany.
The knowledge and findings tapped from the project implementation was finally compiled into a practical handbook
titled managing mahogany plantations in the tropics. The handbook or manual developed elaborates on how to
effectively cultivate mahogany in plantations and sustainably manage the established stands for economic and
ecological benefits. An international conference was organized in FORIG dubbed Towards sustainable management
and production of mahogany in West Africa aimed at sharing the success stories/ achievements and challenges of
implementing the mahogany project and the way forward after project completion.
Project Performance:
a). Specific Objective
The specific objective of the project was to refine our mahogany silvicultural Tool Kit to improve the ability to
produce economically viable indigenous mahogany in mixed plantations and to transfer this Technology to Ghanas
key industrial partners and community tree growers via a practical How to Cultivate Indigenous Mahoganies manual.
b. Outputs and related Activities
Activity
OUTPUT 1 Practical methods for mass production of selected superior Hypsipyla-tolerant clones (upright growing
and straight-stem) clones of the seven indigenous mahoganies of Ghana developed.
Realized Project Elements- Achieved objective
Differences Between Planned and Realized Project Elements-None
Activity 1.1: Selection of Hypsipyla-tolerant from the range of provenance trials established in the phase I of the
project.
100 Hypsipyla-tolerant mahogany trees were selected from the existing provenances from the phase1 as potential
seed trees and Seeds were collected from the identified trees
Activity 1.2: Establishment of new provenance/genotype selection plots from seed sources which were not captured
in the phase I.were not captured in the phase I.Provenance studies were conducted in the 4 major ecological
regions of Ghanas high forest; Dry semi-deciduous, moist semi-deciduous, wet and moist evergreen forest types
Activity 1.3: Cloning Hypsipyla-tolerant mahoganies from existing and new trial plots through propagation by cuttings
propagation by cuttingsCuttings of the Khaya and Entandrophragma species was successfully cloned in a vegetative
propagation system
Activity 1.4: Establish hedge garden of Hypsipyla-tolerant clones of mahogany for mass production of cutting
material production of cutting materialSuccessfully rooted cuttings from the superior and tolerant mahoganies
identified were potted and used to establish hedge gardens.
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Project Performance:
Activity1.5 Establish superior mahogany seedling production centerNurseries were established for the project at
FORIG main nursery, SAMARTEX, ABTS, Kranka Community nurseries and Osiem Saviour church nursery
Output 2 Seed production orchards established for each Khaya and Entandrophragma
Realized Project Elements- Achieved objective
Differences Between Planned and Realized Project Elements-None
Activity 2.1. Mahogany seed orchard with diverse genetic sources will be established for each of Khaya and
entandrophragma species from new seed sourcethe Khaya species and Entandrophragma species from new seed
sources3ha orchards of Khaya and Entandrophragma species was established to enhance the supply and
availability of genetic materials for planting
Activity 2.2. Selection of superior genotypes and conversion of 5 hectares of phase I mahogany trial plots into seed
production orchard
The 5ha of mahogany stands developed at the Phase 1 project was converted into seed production orchards
Output 3 Our silvicultural tool kit refined to optimize planting of mixed stands in the 4 major ecological zones
Realized Project Elements- Achieved objective
Differences Between Planned and Realized Project Elements-None
Activity 3.1 Examine different densities of mahogany in mixture with other native tree species that occur together in
natural stand effect on Hypsipyla attacks
Studies were conducted on different densities of mahogany in mixture stands with other indigenous species to
assess the growth and pest tolerance of the African mahogany species. The results were compared with pure and
mixed mahogany species to draw meaningful conclusions.
Activity 3.2: Examine the effect mixtures of mahogany with food crop farming on Hypsipyla attack in an agroforestry
system
Mixtures of mahogany trees with food crops was critically assessed for the level of Hypsipyla attacks and growth of
the trees.
Activity 3.3: Evaluate pruning effect on shoot borer incidence and tree form of mahogany in existing and new
plantation trials
Field trials of mixtures; Khaya ivorensis and K. grandifoliola were given pruning treatments and control stands were
also established. The effect of pruning on shoot borer incidence and tree form was assessed for trees with pruning
treatment in comparison with those without pruning.
Activity 3.4: Thinning and spacing effect on shoot borer attack in mahogany stands
Different spacing of close and wider intervals composed of 1m, 2m 2.5m, 5m spacing regimes were
International Tropical Timber OrganizationInternational Organizations Center, 5th Floor - Pacifico-Yokohama 1-1-1, Minato-Mirai, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, 220-0012 Japan
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Project Performance:
applied in field experiment of the mahogany species. Growth of the trees and incidence of shoot borer was
evaluated among the spacing treatment. Results indicated the closer spaced trees were highly attacked relative to
the wide spaces. Thinning was conducted in the close spacing trials to minimize the pest damage.
Activity 3.5: Examine the activity of weaver ants as biological control agents in mixed stand and pure stands
The mixed and pure mahogany stands established were monitored for the presence of weaver ants and number of
ant nests on shoots of the trees. Assessment showed that the weaver ants and ants nests limits shoot borer attacks
and thus the ants serve as effective bio-control agent.
Activity 3.6: Develop a system for introducing weaver ants as biological control agent of Hypsipyla in mahogany
plantations
The project field crew were actively engaged to devise and implement strategies to introduce weaver ants on the
mahogany stands to enhance biological control of the pest. Some of the strategies included planting of well
spreading crown trees such as Terminalia superba with the mahoganies such that ants colonies was transferred
from the Terminalia to the mahoganies for active bio-control of Hysipyla.
Output 4 Wood quality and lumber properties from mature plantation-grown mahoganies
Realized Project Elements- Achieved objective
Differences Between Planned and Realized Project Elements-None
Activity 4.1: Harvest a number (3-5) 40-year old Khaya species at a FORIG plantation near Amantia
Five 40- year old Khaya species plantations were harvested from FORIG plantation in Amantia for wood quality
and lumber properties studies
Activity 4.2: Determine sawing characteristics of mature logs of mahogany from plantation(infected by Hypsipyla)
and natural forest.The infested mature logs from the harvested trees were sampled and their sawing characteristics
were determined and compared to the natural ones of the same age.
Activity 4.3: Compare anatomical properties of mahogany grown in plantation to that in Natural forest of similar
sizes.
Anatomical properties of plantations and naturally grown mahogany of similar sizes were studied successfully
Activity 4.4: Establish the mechanical and strength properties of mature plantation grown mahogany which suffered
Hypsipyla attack at younger age.
Mechanical and strength properties was determined on the plantation grown mahoganies which had Hypsipyla
attacks
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Project Performance:
Activity 4.5: PhD training
One wood scientist from FORIG had PhD training at Michigan Technological. University, USA.
Output 5 Socioeconomic impacts of integrated agroforestry plantations of mixed mahoganies with various short-term
crops are determined
Realized Project Elements- Achieved objective
Differences Between Planned and Realized Project Elements-None
Activity 5.1: comparative socio-economic analysis of different model/systems of plantation establishment with
farmer communities in project areas
Socio-economic studies was conducted in the project communities including Kranka, Samreboi and Osiem
communities who were engaged in an integrated agroforestry system of their food/cash crops and the mahogany
species.
Activity 5.2: Evaluate the economic viability of smallholder plantations
Economic viability of small holder plantations was successfully determined using the Kranka community plantations
as a model. Results showed that the small holder plantations were profitable at 10% discount rate and stable to
downward changes in cost and yield factors up to 50%.
Activity 5.3: Economic analysis of vegetative propagationThe cost-benefit analysis of vegetative propagation system
was determined. The study shows that cost of establishment of the propagation system and maintenance was low.
Superior mother trees are readily available. vegetative propagation is relatively cheap and simple for farmers and
tree growers to adapt
Activity 5.4: Economic assessment of the basis for Mahogany research from the perspectives of the timber industry
in GhanaEconomic assessment of the basis for mahogany research was undertaken successfully. The mahogany
species such as K. grandifoliola (indigenous) grows relatively fast compared to the exotic species). The projects
timber industries were much interested in the studies conducted. Findings from the project were published to
encourage the establishment of mahogany plantations.
Output 6: A practical how to cultivate mahogany in plantations manual is produced and International Workshop
Realized Project Elements- Achieved objective
Differences Between Planned and Realized Project Elements-None
Activity 6.1Prepare a handbook for establishment of Mahogany plantationA handbook have been developed on
managing mahogany plantations in the tropics. It details the processes from seed collection, planting, maintenance
and overall management of mahogany plantations.
Activity 6.2 Organize an International Workshop for restoration of the mahoganies in forest ecosystems in the
TropicsInternational conference was successfully organized on sustainable
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Project Performance:
management of mahogany with participants from Cote DIvoire, Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Thunnen Institute of Forest
Genetic; Germany, Malaysia, Michigan Tech University, USA. The project industrial partners; Samartex, ABTS and
reps from Kranka community farmers and Osiem saviour church all participated in the conference.
Output 7 Training and technology transfer-Added during project implementation
Realized Project Elements- Achieved objective
Differences Between Planned and Realized Project Elements-None
Activity 7.1: One FORIG entomologist will receive doctoral training at Michigan Technological University- added
during project implementation. PhD in Forest Science was completed successfully
Activity 7.2: Presentation and Dissemination of projects results at conferences and workshops.
Project results have been presented at a number of forums and workshops to stakeholders
Activity 7.3: Refereed publications and technical manuals on sustainable restoration of mahogany will be developed
and disseminated.
Journal publications, Posters and abstracts have been published from the results of these studies
Activity7.4 capacity building of undergraduate and postgraduate students and farmers.
Undergraduate and postgraduate students were accepted for internships on the project. Students were trained in
project/plantations management.
The capacity of farmers were built in nursery management techniques and bee-keeping as an alternative livelihood
activity.
Project Outcome, Target Beneficiaries Involvement:
(i)Elaborate on the extent to which the Project Specific Objective was achieved
Project Specific Objective
The specific objective of the project was to refine our mahogany silvicultural Tool Kit to improve the ability to
produce economically viable indigenous mahogany in mixed plantations and to transfer this Technology to Ghanas
key industrial partners and community tree growers via a practical How to Cultivate Indigenous Mahoganies manual.
The project team was very committed and work hard to ensure the attainment of the projects objectives. All activities
were carried out as required and a strong collaboration was established between the projects team and the
participating communities. The farmers were interested in integrating the mahogany trees with their food crops in an
agroforestry system as the mixed system enhanced the crops growth for their subsistence and maintenance of the
trees will generate future benefits as well. The project industrial partners benefited from the wood properties studies
and are therefore willing to foster a fruitful collaboration when the need arises. Strategies developed for the
management of the shoot borer and how to successfully establish the indigenous mahogany species have been
compiled into a practical handbook to guide farmers, plantation developers and private investors. Execution of the
project was very successful without any major challenges.
(ii) The situation existing at Project Completion as compared to the Pre-Project situation:
Tangible Outputs
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Project Outcome, Target Beneficiaries Involvement:
The progress of the project has been very encouraging with the deepening interest of the participating communities
and the industry which has resulted in planting over 100hectares of experimental and demonstration plots across the
forest zones of Ghana.
Total Area Planted During the Project Period
PLANTATION TYPE LOCATIONFOREST TYPE AREA PLANTED
Provenance
MesewamMoist semi-deciduous forest
2010 1.2ha
2011 0.6ha
AbofourDry semi-deciduous forest
2010 1ha
2011 4ha
2013 2ha
Benso Moist evergreen forest
2010 4ha
2011 2ha
Mixed planting
MesewamMoist semi-deciduous forest
2010 0.5ha
2011 0.5ha
2012 1ha
2013 1.2ha
Bobire
2013 0.5ha
2014 2ha
Spacing experiment
2010 Mesewam Moist semi-deciduous forest 0.8ha
2010 FORIG Moist semi-deciduous forest 0.8ha
Pruning experimentFORIG Moist semi-deciduous forest
2011 0.6ha
Shade experiment
2010 BobireMoist semi-deciduous forest 1.2ha
Comm. Agroforestry(AF)
Saviour church, OsiemMoist semi-deciduous 81.01ha
Comm. AFKrankaTransitional forest
2011 2.5ha
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Project Outcome, Target Beneficiaries Involvement:
2012 6ha
Kranka(Baafi)
2011 2.5ha
Kranka(Manso)
2011 1.6ha
2011 8.0ha
Comm. AF with industryBerekum(Tain 2)Dry semi-deciduous forest
2010 2.2ha
2011 7ha
2012 15ha
Industrial plantationSamreboi(Tano Nimiri)Moist evergreen forest
2010 10ha
2011 12ha
Experimental AF 2013 Mesewam Moist semi-deciduous 0.5ha
FORIG campus
2012 0.5ha
TOTAL 172.71ha
The project team published a number of articles from the project results (list below) and presented the results at a
number of seminars and conferences.
Publications
1.Opuni-Frimpong, E., Nyarko-Duah, N. Y., Bedford, E. J. D. and Storer, A. J. (2014). Silvicultural systems for
restoration of mahogany in degraded landscapes in Africa: Influence of mixed rainforest plantation on growth and
pest damage, Open Journal of Forestry 4: 414-425.
2. Owusu S. A., Opuni-Frimpong, E. and Antwi-Boasiako C. (2014). Improving regeneration of mahogany:
techniques for vegetative propagation of four African mahogany species using leafy stem cuttings. New Forest. 45:5,
687-697. DOI 10.1007/s11056-014-9431-y
3. Abraham, J., Opuni-Frimpong, E., Weissbecker B, Schuetz S, Angeli, S. (2014). Olfactory cues of mahogany
trees to female Hypsipyla robusta. Bulletin of Insectology 67 (1) 21-30.
4.Yeboah, D., Burton, A. J., Storer, A. J., Opuni-Frimpong E. (2014). Variation in Wood Density and Carbon
Content of Tropical Plantation Tree Species from Ghana. New Forests. 45 (1) 35-52 DOI 10.1007/s11056-013-9390
-8.
5. Opuni-Frimpong E, Opoku, S. M, Storer, A. J, Burton A. J. and Yeboah D. (2013). Productivity, pest tolerance and
carbon sequestration of Khaya grandifoliola in the dry semi-deciduous forest of Ghana: a comparison in pure stands
and mixed stands. New Forests 44 (6) 863-879 (DOI 10.1007/s11056-013-9376-6)
6.Opuni-Frimpong, E., Tekpetey, S. L., Opoku, S., Mensah Opoku,E., Andrew J. Storer, Nyarko-Duah, Naa Y.,
Appiah-Kubi, E., Essien, C., Darko -Obiri , B. (2016) Managing Mahogany Plantation in the tropics: Field guide for
Farmers. pp 94 (In Press)
7.Appiah-Kubi, E., Kankam,C.K., Frimpong-Mensah, K., Opuni-Frimpong, E.(2016) The bending strength and
Modulus of elasticity properties of plantation grown Khaya ivorensis (Africa Mahogany) from Ghana. Journal of Ind.
Academy of Wood Science. ISSN 0972 (Doi:10.1007/s13196-016-)
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Project Outcome, Target Beneficiaries Involvement:
8.Tekpetey, S. L., Opuni-Frimpong, E., Appiah-Kubi, E., Essien, C. Korang , J. Pentsil,S., and Owusu, F.W. (2016)
Khaya ivorensis in Ghana Forest Estate: Distribution, Properties and Uses. pp 138 (In Press).
Presentation and Posters at Conferences
1.Opuni-Frimpong E. (2012). Management of mahogany shoot borer, Hypsipyla robusta (Moore): A native pest with
invasive characteristics in plantations. A presentation given at the 23rd USDA Interagency Research Forum on
Invasive Species 10-13, January 2012 in Annapolis, MD USA.
2.Opuni-Frimpong, E. (2011). Research advances on African mahogany (Khaya and Entandrophragma) in Ghana.
Guest Speaker at Forest Genetic Research Institute of Germany, 2/12/11. Organized by the Research Institute for
Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Germany.
3.Opuni-Frimpong, E. (2011). Incidence of Hypsipyla robusta (Moore) on Mahogany Trees. Guest Speaker, Faculty
of Science and Technology, Lecture Series, University of Bolzano, Italy, 30/11/2011. Organized and Funded by
University of Bolzano, Italy.
4.Nyarko-Duah, N.Y., Opuni-Frimpong E., Belford E.J.D. and Storer, A.J. (2012). The effect of mixed-tree species
stands on Hypsipyla robusta attacks and growth of African mahogany in a wet forest. Presented at IUFRO
FORNESSA Regional congress. Nairobi Kenya, 25th 29th June, 2012. Oral presentation.
5.Nyarko-Duah, N.Y., Opuni-Frimpong E., Belford E.J.D. and Storer, A.J. (2012). The presence of weaver ants
(Oecophylla longinoda) in mixed-tree species stands on Hypsipyla robusta attack and growth of African mahogany.
Presented at IUFRO FORNESSA Regional congress. Nairobi Kenya, 25th 29th June, 2012. Oral presentation.
6.Opuni-Frimpong, E., Nyarko-Duah, N.Y., Kwarkye, G.A., and Storer, A.J. (2012). Incidence of Hypsipyla robusta
(Moore) on native mahogany trees: a challenge for sustainable supply and conservation of mahogany resources.
Presented at IUFRO FORNESSA Regional congress. Nairobi Kenya, 25th 29th June, 2012. Oral presentation.
7.Opuni-Frimpong, E., Opoku Mensah, S., and Storer, A.J. (2012). Growth and Productivity of Khaya grandifoliola in
the dry semi-deciduous forest of Ghana; a comparison in pure and in mixed stands as a potential plantation species.
Presented at IUFRO FORNESSA Regional congress. Nairobi Kenya, 25th 29th June, 2012. Poster presentation.
8.Ward, S. (2012). Overview of mahogany and Spanish cedar collections and trials from Mesoamerica. Presentation
given at FORIG on the 12th of July, 2012.
9.Opuni-Frimpong, E. and Owusu, S. A. (2014). Breeding for pest resistance in African mahogany. A presentation
given at IUFRO 2014 side event: Implementing a Global plan of action for Forest Genetic Resources. Organized by
Bioversity International. Friday, 10th October 19.00 -21.00 Room SPCC 250A. Salt Lake City, USA
10.Abraham J., Opuni-Frimpong E., Weissbecker B., Schütz S. Angeli S. (2015). Exploiting the scent of trees to
protect mahogany plantations from pest insects, International Conference on Sustainable mahogany production held
in CSIR-FORIG, Kumasi, 2nd -6th March, 2105.
11.Opuni-Frimpong, E. (2015).Genetic variation in African mahogany with resistance/ tolerance to Hypsipyla; World
Forestry Conference 7-12 September, 2015, Durban south Africa.
12.B. D. Obiri, Opuni-Frimpong,E Sekyere, J. O. Abgenyega Storer, J. A. (2015). Economics of Mahogany
production in Ghana, Presentation at the International Conference on Sustainable mahogany production held in
CSIR-FORIG, Kumasi, 2nd-6th March, 2105.
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Project Outcome, Target Beneficiaries Involvement:
13.Opoku M. E., Owusu S. A., Sarfo Y., Opuni-Frimpong E., Storer. A. J. (2015). Vegetative propagation techniques
of improving seedlings production for restoring mahogany by plantation culture, Presented at International
Conference on Sustainable mahogany production held in CSIR-FORIG, Kumasi, 2nd -6th March, 2105.
14. Bernd Degen, Maike Pailini , Birte Pakull, Emmanuel Opuni Frimpong, Aki Hoeltken (2015)DNA fingerprints for
species assignment and CoC tracking of Khaya ivorensis and Khaya anthotheca, International Conference on
Sustainable mahogany production held in CSIR-FORIG, Kumasi, 2nd -6th March, 2105.
15.Darko C. B., Opuni-Frimpong E., Kyere B. and Storer J. A. (2015) Screening Meliaceae for their resistance to the
Hypsipyla robusta attack. Presented at the International Conference on Sustainable mahogany production held in
CSIR-FORIG, Kumasi, 2nd -6th March, 2105.
16.Opuni-Frimpong E. and Storer J. A., (2015). Biology of mahogany shoot borer (Hypsipyla robusta Moore) on
artificial media and associated natural enemies. Presented at the International Conference on Sustainable
mahogany production held in CSIR-FORIG, Kumasi, 2nd -6th March, 2105
17.Tekpetey, S. L., Riegel A.; Dekomien K., Opuni-Frimpong E. (2015). Investigating Surface Quality of African
Mahogany from Ghana using Stylus and Deflectometry Techniques. presented at International Conference on
Sustainable mahogany production held in CSIR-FORIG, Kumasi, 2nd -6th March, 2015
18.Appiah-Kubi, E., and Opuni-Frimpong E. (2015). Durability and Mechanical Strength Properties of Plantation
Grown Khaya ivorensis from Ghana, presented at International Conference on Sustainable mahogany production
held in CSIR-FORIG, Kumasi, 2nd -6th March, 2105
19.Opuni-Frimpong, E (2016). Breeding and Genetic variation in African mahogany tolerance to Hypsipyla robusta
Moore in plantations. An International Workshop in the frame of the Large scale on genetic timber verification"..
Hosted by University of Sao Paulo, Pirasicaba, Brazil, April 11-15, 2016.
Training of a PhD student from FORIG at the projects partner institutions Michigan Technological University is a
major output of the project. During the project implementation the capacity building of students was enhanced
through the internships hence twelve undergraduate and seven masters level graduate students used the project
field experiments and facilities for their thesis research. Three PhD students utilized some aspect of the project
findings for their dissertation. Community farmers engaged in the project were exposed to various alternative
livelihood development programs, nursery management aside the tree planting of mahoganies in their agroforestry
system. This have refined and renewed their interest to embrace any restoration program with the indigenous
species especially the mahogany. Other tree growers, investors and the forestry sector who formally neglected the
mahogany species due to the pest attack have now realized the need to add such species to current and future
plantation development initiatives. Thus, the project has established a viable and practical management approaches
to enhance sustainable plantation culture which is relevant to sustainable ex-situ conservation of the indigenous
species which are diminishing at a faster rate in Ghanas forest estate.
Support to Sectoral Policies and Programs
The project outputs are contributing to the realization of the following sectoral policies and programs on forest
plantations.
Promote the development of plantations programs to enhance sustainable supply of timber to meet the current
needs and future demands
It will reduce pressure on the natural forest
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Project Outcome, Target Beneficiaries Involvement:
It will encourage collaborative resource management among community farmers, governments and other relevant
stakeholders
It will improve the livelihood of the communities and farmers in plantation site
It will increase biodiversity conservation and ecological integrity
The project results will increase government commitment to degraded landscape restoration through massive forest
plantation development schemes
It will promote small and medium forest plantation as channel of job creation for the rural communities and forest
dependent people
Application of and practical technologies in restoration and rehabilitation of degraded landscapes
It will enhance food production and security through the adoption of agroforestry system
It will support investments in plantations establishment including the indigenous species to enhance the attainment
of the national forest plantation goals in Ghana
The Physical Environment
During the implementation of the project, our vegetation clearance and land preparation activities were done
cautiously and precisely to prevent destruction of other close forest areas. In the community agroforestry system,
famers were coached in the clearing and advised to prevent excessive burning and application of weedicides that
might destroy microorganism essential for soil nutrient enrichment. Within the demarcated areas of establishment,
the project team focused on using various mixed plantation designs that will enhance the trees growth and this has
increased the forest cover in most of the degraded lands.
(iii) Participation of the target beneficiaries in the implementation of the Project and their utilization of the project
results.
All the Stakeholders targeted to utilize the project results were involved right at the inception and throughout the
implementation of the project. The project steering committee was constituted such that we had the director of
plantations of the Ghana Forestry Commission as the chairman. The project industrial partners investors in
plantations in Ghana were well represented on the steering committee meetings which formed the major decision
making body of the project. The community farmers who participated in small holder tree plantations and the
agroforestry system was represented by a representative from all the communities in the steering committee
meetings. During the steering committee meetings, series of technical presentations were given to disseminate the
project results. Workshops and forums were organized in the communities with the presence of all the project
participating farmers to update them on the project results and to boost their interest in tree growing initiative.
Publications and the practical handbook developed from the project will add to the information pools of all
stakeholders for immediate utilization to support sustainable forest management in Ghana.
(iv) Project sustainability after Project Completion as a result of conditions prevailing at completion.
The project implementation was organized such that monitoring and maintenance of the established stands will
continue effectively after the project completion with active participation of all stakeholders. The project executing
agency signed an MOU with the industrial partners; Samartex, ABTS and APSD for smooth implementation of the
project activities and also for continuity of the project after completion. The project team will therefore conduct
assessment and maintenance of the stands annually with support from the industries till the trees reach a
merchantable size for harvest. The community farmers involved in the farm forestry also have responsibilities of
protecting the trees
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Project Outcome, Target Beneficiaries Involvement:
on their lands and regular monitoring will be conducted by the field team trained on the project. Established stands
on research plots within the major ecological zones will be frequently be monitored and maintained by the project
team at CSIR-FORIG.
Thematic Programme:
Assessment and Analysis:
(i)Analysis and comments on the project rational and the project identification: Stakeholder participation in the
project formulation process
The project formulation originated from stakeholder interactions that the mahogany species are declining in the
natural occurrences and effort of mahogany restoration were faced with frequent problems of pest. The pest
incidences of the mahoganies was discouraging tree growers, industries such as Samartex, ABTS from establishing
plantations with the species although the mahogany timber had high commercial value. Mahogany plantations
established previously were abandoned by the forest sector because of the ubiquitous pest and mahoganies was
excluded from the plantations development program. It was relevant that the pest incidence is immensely studied to
provide reliable economical and practical strategies of controlling the pest. Various efforts for control of the pest in
the past could not completely reduce the damage caused as such integrated management approaches of pest
control was recommended globally as the best option. Selection of pest resilient planting stock, combination of
sivilcultural, biological control measures in integrated management system was adopted for control of the
Hypsipyla pest. Reports from the pre project phase 1 of the mahogany studies to ITTO indicated that tolerant
genotypes of the mahogany species existed in the sparse forest fragment within the ecological zones of Ghana
which necessitated that identification of such genotypes for cloning. The project implementation strategy included
various silvicultural management approaches such as pruning, shad, mixed planting of mahogany with other
indigenous species, biological control agent as bait for Hypsipyla which were geared towards managing the pest
infestation for sustainable plantation development. The project has results have established that management of
the pest could be achieved through the integrated approaches outlined. The discouragement caused within the
forestry sector, among tree growers and private investors with mahogany plantations establishment would have
remained a major challenge to sustainable forest management with the indigenous species. This has however been
has been addressed through project implementation.
(ii)The adequacy or inadequacy of the results of the identification process: definition of the problem, the project
objective and the choice of the implementation strategy
Design of the project, from definition of the problem, project objective through the development of implementation
strategies, the project initiators involved stakeholders in critical analysis of the issues. The major challenge which
destructed effective mahogany plantation establishment was the shoot borer Hypsipyla robusta Moore which is
also a serious pest in West Africa and other areas where mahogany are grown. In Ghana, the Hysipyla pest attacks
most of the Khaya and Endrophragma species, and the exotic Swietinia macrophylla. The devastative nature of the
pest was the single menace to successful management of mahoganies as such previously planted stands were
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Assessment and Analysis:
abandoned in Ghana and the mahoganies were excluded from the indigenous species recommended for plantation
programs. Through Stakeholder meetings, it came up that a more practical and scientific research should be
developed to address the pest problems of the mahogany as it cannot be eliminated form plantations development
because it commands high economic value in Ghana and other countries of their abundance. Therefore, the project
aimed to address this problem Through the application of integrated pest management approaches including
refining our silvicultural toolkits, identification of superior elite genotypes for cloning and bio-control measures
geared towards managing the Hypsipyla activities for sustainable management of mahogany species in Ghana and
West Africa. The project implementation teams regular meeting with stakeholders and the annual steering
committee meetings did not identify any need for alteration in the implementation strategies. Thus the results of the
identification process were adequate for the definition of the problem and objectives set were appropriate.
(iii)The most critical differences between planned and actual project implementation
The project team thoroughly executed the project according to the planned activities. Execution of the project
activities was done accordingly as scheduled within the duration planned. The project team faced challenge in
sourcing Entandrophragma candollei seeds for the experimental work. During the third steering committee meeting it
was recommended for the project team liased with the various FSDs at the Forestry commission to assist with
identification of the seeds to enhance the attainment of the project objectives. The project budget was adjusted
within the original total budget without requesting for any additional funding. The project directorate sought approval
from ITTO for the new activity and the budget adjustments which were granted. In the fourth year of the project,
most of the activities were completed except few ones which were still ongoing. The Osiem savior church
community partners was brought on board to participate in the project where their goal was to establish cocoa
agroforestry. The project directorate sought for 8 months extension of project activities, to enable us complete the
few remaining activities and also to strengthen the collaboration made with the Osiem savior church and other rural
communities who express their interest to participate in the tree mahogany planting. Though these communities
were not originally included in the project, the steering committee approved this noble idea from the principal
investigators as a key to sustainability of the project after completion of the ITTO support.
These differences between planned and actual implementation were very necessary to the successful
implementation of the project.
(i)Time and project Inputs quality and quantity: personnel and equipment, financial resources, knowledge and
expertise
The project team realized that the data collected within the four years of the project cycle could provide some level
of information to document strategies for mahogany plantation establishment. However, selection of tolerant clones,
propagating them and testing them again in the field needed additional time. This resulted in the formulation of the
second phase of the project that has been approved and the implementation of which starts immediately. The quality
and quantity of personnel involved in the implementation of the project was very good making it possible to publish
some of our results in reputable journals even before the end of the project. There were enough equipment, and
financial resources provided were just enough for successfully implementing the planned activities and the additional
activities the steering committee suggested.
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Assessment and Analysis:
(ii)Anticipation and reality of external influences, assumptions and risks etc. and the effectiveness of mitigating
measures
The implementation team anticipated the presence of variability in susceptibility within the mahogany population that
existed in forest and thus gives the possibility for genetic studies. The identified genotypes trees could coppiced
easily to facilitate the production of planting materials form the tolerant genotypes. The assumption that there must
be sufficient genetic variation in susceptibility of mahoganies to Hypsipyla was right as the provenance study
showed the extent of variation in growth and pest tolerance of over 90 /15 families of mahogany. The project team
anticipated a strong linkages with communities and farmers to enhance the sustainability of mahogany in the major
ecological zones of Ghana. Demand for seedling was very overwhelming especially with the newly joined partners;
the Osiem saviour church which the project collaborated with them to raise 90,000 seedlings to commemorate their
90th anniversary. Some farmers in Kranka who joined the project in the third year also demanded more seedlings
for planting. The preparation of a practical handbook on management of mahogany plantations was also very
expensive in terms of editing and reviewing for publishing.We managed to keep the demands and other associated
costs within the financial resources of the project budget. The assumptions and risk anticipated at the inception of
the project were managed as planned. The continuous planting of the mahoganies by our collaborators and
stakeholders is sufficient evidence that the risk of collaborator losing interest in the project was managed for the
success of the project.
(iii)The participation of anticipated and actual project beneficiaries in project implementation and how they have and
will be benefited from the project
The anticipated participants/beneficiaries in the project findings were the Forestry Commission, National Plantation
Development Center, Forest Industries and local community farmers involved in plantation development. The project
implementation was designed such that we had representatives of all these bodies on the project steering
committee to understand and act on their concerns, for them to maximize the benefits from the project findings. Most
of the field experiments were conducted in the beneficiaries plantation sites. The project execution agency signed
MOUs with the collaborators/beneficiaries who donated land for the project studies to allow continuous monitoring of
the field plots to manage any eventualities and also for evaluation and assessment for comprehensive
documentation of the performance of the integrated management of mahogany plantations.
(iv)Sustainability after Project Completion
Mechanisms to ensure sustainability of the project after completion were put in place at the inception of the project.
The project executing established active involvement of community farmers and industrial partners/investors to
ascertain the implementation of the project activities and for the realization of the developmental objectives.
Samartex and ABTS donated some land area for the rehabilitation with the mahogany species with their workers,
and the community farmers were assisted by the project team to establish pure and mixed mahogany agroforestry in
their fields. The industry uses the established site as demonstration plots to other stakeholders in their categories.
The agreement made for maintenance and sustainability of the stand was that the industry will provide financial
support for weed clearing and beating- up exercise by the field team. Regular evaluation will be done by FORIG
project team until the trees become fully matured for harvesting. The community farmers involved in the plantation
are also responsible for maintenance of the stands
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Assessment and Analysis:
as techniques developed were transferred to the farmers and the executing agency will provide technical advises
and support. Some experimental plots were established at FORIGs research stations in Mesewam, Bobire, Benso
and Abofour including seed orchards and hedge gardens will be monitored and maintained by the scientist and
project team at FORIG.
(v)The understanding and appropriateness of the roles and responsibilities of the institutions involved with the
project implementation
The Institutions invited to participate in the project were carefully selected by the execution agency to involve all
stakeholders that could contribute to maximizing the impact of the project on the forestry sector in Ghana as a
whole. The steering committee meetings was chaired by the director of plantations at the forestry commission. This
has helped to influence policy decisions to include the mahoganies in the National plantation program in Ghana as
techniques of managing the pest problem have been developed. Samartex and ABTS are lead investors in timber
plantations and major players in the timber industry in Ghana and their role on the project were very appropriate to
attract investor interest in mahogany plantations. The community tree farmers played active role in the application of
the project strategies developed towards management of mahogany which has helped in the extension of the project
ideas to other communities already. The collaboration harnessed between the project agency; FORIG and Scientists
of Michigan Technological University sharing a corporate responsibility appropriately led to the successful execution
of the project.
Lessons Learned:
(I) Lessons learned from project identification, design and implementation
(a) Project identification and design matters
The need for an integrated approach to manage Hypsipyla has been repeatedly identified by stakeholders as the
most promising solution to overcoming the problem associated with growing mahogany in plantations. Damage by
the shoot borer, had been the overriding factor restricting the successful establishment of mahogany plantations. It
was relevant that a solution to the shoot borer problem was discovered as most companies, investors, tree growers
that invest in reforestation or planting of mahogany expressed the risk and great economic loss the results from the
shoot borer attacks. The shoot borer is thus restricting the establishment of plantations of Khaya species, Swietenia
species and other valued tropical timbers of Meliaceae mahogany species in Ghana. Several strategies of managing
shoot borer damage in isolated cases to reduce damage to acceptable levels however integrated pest management
seemed a reliable approach to minimize the pest incidences. Thus the project identification involved critical analysis
as to how to combine silvicultural management strategies, selection of resistant genotypes for cloning and seedling
production, and application of biological control agents incorporated in integrated pest management to reduce the
impact of Hypsipyla in mahogany plantations. The achievement of the project specific and developmental objective
as set by the project design could be attributed to the full commitment and diligence of all the stakeholders involved
in the project implementation.
Additional arrangements that could improve cooperation between the relevant parties interest in the project
Adequate funding for plantations establishment was a major issue in Ghana among the timber industries and
especially the poor rural farmers are most vulnerable as they were enthused in
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Lessons Learned:
participating effectively in the tree plantation of the indigenous mahogany species. However, the adoption of
agroforestry systems on their piece of land which was used to be previously managed in shifting cultivation system
and subsequently planting of trees implied that the size of land for the crops will reduce and that will affect the
produce of food stuff from the farms. During the project implementation, Famers were therefore introduced to
sustainable livelihood activities and nursery management which they could apply to produce seedlings of cash crops
like cocoa, coffee and cashew to generate income. Basic nursery equipment were supplied to initiate the nursery
work. With the help of the Forest service divisions, and the project team, plantation designs that incorporated much
of farmers food crops were adapted in the farming. This avoided unnecessary demands by the farmers for funds
which facilitated the progress of the project. The possibilities of exploring carbon credit and trading from the
sequestered carbon was introduced to farmers to raise their interest in tree growing.
Aspect of project design which most contributed to its success or failure in achieving the Development objective
The project strategy of involving stakeholders and targeted beneficiaries throughout the implementation of the
project was key to the achievement of the development objective of the project. Also the expertise of the project
team and their commitment to achieve sustained interest of the stakeholders in the project contributed significantly
to achieving the development objective of the project. The project in the field could have failed if the farmers were
not co-operative.
Actions to be taken to avoid variations between planned and actual implementation
Any variation that will affect the budget significantly had to be avoided. However since the project is applied
research, there was the need to make room for unplanned activities during implementation. Stakeholder
participation had to be encouraged at the formulation of the project idea and subsequent project development
Factors which will most likely affect project sustainability after completion
The projects main goal was to improve the sustainability of indigenous mahogany in Ghana by developing superior
mahoganies that are ecologically adapted and insect tolerant and expand our collaboration with industrial and
community tree farmers. The sustainability of the project after completion will depend on the forestry commissions
insisting on adding mahogany species to the national plantation program since the Forest service is the biggest
stakeholder. In current and future plantation programs, supply of free seedlings to the community farmers will
sustain the rural poor farmers interest. The governments new plantation program makes provision for seedlings
supply to tree growers. Through awareness creation and participatory rural appraisals in forest fringe communities
the project team can also arouse interest in mahogany plantation development in other communities. The project
team and Scientists at FORIG will continue to monitor and maintain the research sites within the FORIGs
concession as part of their routine activities. Regular monitoring, assessment and technical assistance will be
rendered continuously in the industrial planted sites, farmers and other partners fields to enhance the sustainability
of the indigenous mahogany species in
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Lessons Learned:
the high forest of Ghana. The practical guide developed for farmers, tree growers and private investors and
industries interested in managing mahogany will intensify national concern on plantation culture.
(b)Operational Lessons
Project organization and management
The project had a project directorate led by the project leader under the supervision of the director of the executing
agency. There were regular formal and informal meetings and interactions with project team members to deliberate
on project results and expectations. Project facilities were made available to all project team members and
bureaucracies were avoided as much as possible. The cordial environment provided by the project directorate made
it possible to achieve the project objectives.
Flow of funds
The funding from ITTO and collaborating agencies were provided as planned. Michigan Technological Universities
support to the PhD student on the project was consistent with the project objective. The project directorate
sometimes waited for project funds in the execution agencies accounts to get almost depleted before requesting for
funds which on few occasions caused some financial stress for the project.
Definition of the roles and responsibilities of the institutions involved in the project implementation
The institutions involved in the project were;
Forestry Research Institute of Ghana (FORIG)
Forestry Commission
Samartex Timber and Plywood Company limited
ABTS Company Limited
Kranka Community Farmers
Osiem Saviour church
School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Technological University (MTU)
Ghana Government/Forestry Commission representative chaired the steering committee to support the project
implementation with policy advice
Director of the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, supervised the overall implementation of the project as the
director of the executing agency
-Timber Industry Association representative provided advice on the expectations of the timber industry and also
was the link to inform the industry of the research outputs
SAMARTEX was a collaborating timber organization in the implementation of the project. Samartex was involved in
most of the project activities and their contributions at the steering committee meetings were of help to direct the
research and execution of the activities to make the results user friendly to the timber industries
-Michigan Technological University was a collaborating organization. The Experts from Michigan Technological
University provided funds and trained one FORIG staff in forest science at PhD level.
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Lessons Learned:
The experts participation at the steering committee meetings helped to improve project implementation
-ITTO representative guided project steering committee to implement the project as defined in the project document
as part of the Technical monitoring role of ITTO.
-Kranka Community Farmers served the interest of the community farmers involved in the implementation of the
project at the steering committee level to make sure the project took care of concerns of farmers.
Project documentation
The project team developed a scheme of keeping project records and documentation for reporting, monitoring and
publications of project results. The project directorate made sure that biannual progress reports to ITTO and project
results presentations at workshops and conferences to stakeholders were all kept both electronically and in hard
copies. Project financial documents and reports were kept according to financial standards of the Forestry Research
Institute of Ghana and were fully audited to ensure that the expenses are within the project approved budget. Project
technical reports and student research theses that used project research material have been kept electronically and
in hard copies at the project secretariat.
Monitoring and evaluation
The project directorate had regular interactions and meetings with project participants (community farmers, timber
industries that donated land as demonstration plots and the church group) as a way of monitoring project progress
with the various participants and for deliberations on project expected outputs. Workshops and seminars were
organized frequently in the participating communities to disseminate the discoveries and strategies developed
towards effective management of mahogany plantations. The annual steering committee meetings with
representation of ITTO and all the major stakeholders and beneficiaries of project results helped to keep track of the
project activities with the set objectives. Major additions like the efforts of identifying Entandrophragma candollei
seeds using the stock map of the Forestry commission and acceptance of the Osiem Saviour church into the farm
forestry were identified during one of the monitoring and evaluation meetings of stakeholders and collaborators. The
project established stands were also monitored on regular basis and status of research outputs were presented at
the PSC meetings for inputs.
External factors that influenced the project implementation
Sourcing of Entandrophragma candollei seeds from the sparse area within the Forest service division stock map and
the addition of the Osiem savior church group to participate in the project were not originally planned as project
activities. However, they were eventually identified as necessary to the achievement of the project goals and further
restoration initiatives. Though these did not require additional funding from ITTO, the project budget had to be
adjusted to cater for such contingencies caused some activities to delay in implementation. The immense
contribution made by the project external expert especially with the introduction of weaver ants as biological control
agent of Hypsipyla in Ghana influenced the project implementation strategy to some extent. The expert advice from
the external consultants influenced the identification and design of a regional project of sustaining mahogany
production and management in West Africa which has been submitted for
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Lessons Learned:
funding.
Conclusions and Recommendations:
(i)Conclusions and Recommendations
Identification
The main goal of the project was to improve the sustainability of indigenous mahogany in Ghana by developing
superior mahoganies that are ecologically adapted and insect tolerant and expand our collaboration with industrial
and community tree farmers. This goal was realized through tied efforts of all stakeholders involved in the project
implementation. The project identification process should be as participatory as possible involving all stakeholders
and expected beneficiaries of the project results, to ensure relevance and ready acceptance of project outputs by
stakeholders and beneficiaries.
Design
The uniqueness of the project design was the participatory approach by involving many stakeholders as
collaborators to have their inputs integrated into the project design. The design should be simple, having in mind the
stakeholders capabilities, skills, level of education and capacity to use technologies to be developed.
Implementation
The project outputs were achieved it was considered among the most successful projects implemented in the
executing agency. The success and achievement of the project goals can be attributed to the meticulous and
constructive inputs of stakeholders on the proposed schedule of activities and timely monitoring and evaluations
system put in place to ensure activities are done accordingly as planned. The established stands on the lands
donated by the industry was done with their own staff and the project field team such that they would be familiar with
the design application of management strategies that will sustain the stand. Experiment established on research
plots owned by FORIG with the various mixed plantation designs were often evaluated to ascertain impact of
strategies applied on the growth and productivity of the stands. This serve as firsthand attraction area for
demonstration to relevant stakeholders and other investors interested in plantation establishment with the
indigenous mahogany species. The project team is enthused and motivated with the stakeholders adoption and
implementation of the technologies developed under the project and which has promising impact on the national
plantation development plan which includes rehabilitation of degraded landscapes with high value indigenous
species. The involvement of the director of plantations division of the Forestry Commission and his association with
the success of the project contributed to the acceptance and promotion of the mahogany species among key
species targeted for ex-situ conservation in Ghana.
Organization
The project directorate led by the project leader under the supervision of the director of the executing agency
ensured the successful completion of the project. Series of formal and informal meeting which included PSC
meetings, workshops, and participatory rural appraisal were organized regularly for the project team, stakeholders,
and community famers to interact deliberate on project schedules and
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Conclusions and Recommendations:
ways to achieve the project objectives. Results and expectation of the project were also made known to all the
partners of the project. The availability of project facilities to all project team members including student interns and
the avoidance of bureaucratic processes all provided a very cordial environment to stimulate innovations and better
outputs. Aside the formal meeting, a platform for easy flow of information was created for the stakeholders to share
problems which received urgent considerations and possible solutions to enhance success of the project.
(ii)Potential for replication and/or for scaling up
The stakeholders and beneficiaries of the project output have expressed their enthusiasm in expanding their
plantations established with the strategies and technologies developed. The active involvement of community
farmers and expected benefits in mahogany plantation development have attracted other neighboring farmers to
also engage in more vibrant farm forestry and are making demands for inclusion although the project is completed.
Their concerns were raised in the final PSC meetings and the project team accepted to incorporate them in further
plantation development program. The project implementation was climax with an international conference on
sustainable production and management of mahogany held in the executing agency with various participants from
West Africa, Thunen Institute of Forest Genetics, Germany. To take care of the demands of community farmers and
the partners recommendation, it came up that a regional project of sustaining mahogany production in West Africa
has been developed and submitted to ITTO for funding. It is expected that regional collaboration for exchange of
genetic materials, strategies of managing mahogany effectively in the tropical region will be achieved through this
new project.
Responsible for the project
Name: Dr. Emmanuel Opuni-FrimpongPosition held: Project Leader
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