FOR a country like Ghana that imports everything concerning paper, including even toilet rolls, the need for pulp and paper industry cannot be overemphasized.
But, there is not a single pulp and paper industry established by the Governments in the country, though the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana,(FORIG),of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research,(CSIR),has made a technological breakthrough in the use of bamboo to produce paper.
In some parts of the world, paper can be produced from jute, bagasse (sugar cane), and cotton or manila fibers. Here in Ghana, there were projects to plant gmelina species at Daboase in the Ashanti Region, for the pulp and paper industry but they have all fizzled out and now the species are being cut for charcoal.
And, it is not a surprise that the laboratory that was set up for the industry at the FORIG has now become a museum piece.
When this pulp and paper industry comes on stream, it would not only be an opportunity to exploit the benefit of bamboo which is eco-friendly, but many people would be encouraged to go into bamboo plantation as well as other species which would go a long way to improve their living conditions and contribute to the fight against global warming.
This technological achievement by the FORIG could be an answer to the environmental problem of the use of polythene bags which cannot decompose but are spread all over the country. The paper from the bamboo could be used to make paper bags which could easily decompose.
But, many people are wondering whether there will ever be a pulp and paper industry following the slow and unserious attitude of past and present governments toward science and technology for the improvement of the country.
There seems to be some truth in this. About 32 years ago, the state sponsored six scientists of the FORIG to be trained abroad in pulp and paper technology in order to establish the industry in Ghana.
Some of the scientists went to the United States of America and others to France and Russia for the training. It was during the regime of LT.COL.Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, which was determined to set up the industry which saw the sponsorship of the scientists.
But a coup d’état brought the regime to an end thereby ending the project. And, since the overthrow of the régime, subsequent governments have shown little or no interest in the setting up of the industry.
Five of the scientists who were trained, have left the FORIG, leaving only DR Daniel Sekyere who is on a post retirement contract to impart the knowledge to students. He was trained in pulp and paper engineering.
He took pains to talk about the project because, ‘’the state wasted a lot of money on them and virtually made them useless, just trained for nothing’’.
Quite apart from money spent on the scientists to study abroad, the state also expended huge amount on international consultants such as Brass, Green Acres and Fin Consults, but all their recommendations on the economic importance of pulp and paper industry in Ghana are cooling off on the shelves at the FORIG.
On October 28,2009,the Minister of Science and Environment, Shirley Ayittey,paid a courtesy call at the FORIG,and impressed by the bamboo to paper technology, expressed government’s determination to support the production from bamboo species to paper. But as to when the industry will be set up is yet to be realized.
But, DR. Sekyere, the brain behind the bamboo to paper production technology, observes that “Governments are only paying lip service to science and technology in this country, they are not very serious; there is the need to completely change our attitudes to science and technology or else we will continue to beg’’.
In a voice laden with emotion he declared: ‘’If we did not also study micro-molecular chemistry-(relating to plastic manufacturing), we would have been a total waste in the society’’.
Globally, private businessmen take initiatives to establish industries, however, surprisingly all the private entrepreneurs both local and foreign that have had discussions with the FORIG over the setting up of the pulp and paper industry declined to push forward their agenda
Many in Ghana believe that this is as a result of the usual bottlenecks created by bureaucracy and government officials in the establishment of industries.
DR Sekyere, also points out that one of the stumbling blocks to the establishment of the industry may be the high cost involved. He says it may cost about 10-million dollars to kick start a small scale industry.
Scientists have questioned and continue to question why should government set up research institutes such as CSIR and cripple them by starving them of the necessary funds.
In Ghana, today, most of the research works are sponsored by international donors.
DR Dominic Blay, a forest ecologist at the FORIG, says the governments’ commitment toward science and technology is nothing to write home about as it reflects the lack of funds for research works of science institutions in the country.
Many hope that the visit of the Environment, Science and Technology Minister to the FORIG will revitalize the quest for the setting up of the pulp and paper industry in Ghana.
But, there is not a single pulp and paper industry established by the Governments in the country, though the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana,(FORIG),of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research,(CSIR),has made a technological breakthrough in the use of bamboo to produce paper.
In some parts of the world, paper can be produced from jute, bagasse (sugar cane), and cotton or manila fibers. Here in Ghana, there were projects to plant gmelina species at Daboase in the Ashanti Region, for the pulp and paper industry but they have all fizzled out and now the species are being cut for charcoal.
And, it is not a surprise that the laboratory that was set up for the industry at the FORIG has now become a museum piece.
When this pulp and paper industry comes on stream, it would not only be an opportunity to exploit the benefit of bamboo which is eco-friendly, but many people would be encouraged to go into bamboo plantation as well as other species which would go a long way to improve their living conditions and contribute to the fight against global warming.
This technological achievement by the FORIG could be an answer to the environmental problem of the use of polythene bags which cannot decompose but are spread all over the country. The paper from the bamboo could be used to make paper bags which could easily decompose.
But, many people are wondering whether there will ever be a pulp and paper industry following the slow and unserious attitude of past and present governments toward science and technology for the improvement of the country.
There seems to be some truth in this. About 32 years ago, the state sponsored six scientists of the FORIG to be trained abroad in pulp and paper technology in order to establish the industry in Ghana.
Some of the scientists went to the United States of America and others to France and Russia for the training. It was during the regime of LT.COL.Ignatius Kutu Acheampong, which was determined to set up the industry which saw the sponsorship of the scientists.
But a coup d’état brought the regime to an end thereby ending the project. And, since the overthrow of the régime, subsequent governments have shown little or no interest in the setting up of the industry.
Five of the scientists who were trained, have left the FORIG, leaving only DR Daniel Sekyere who is on a post retirement contract to impart the knowledge to students. He was trained in pulp and paper engineering.
He took pains to talk about the project because, ‘’the state wasted a lot of money on them and virtually made them useless, just trained for nothing’’.
Quite apart from money spent on the scientists to study abroad, the state also expended huge amount on international consultants such as Brass, Green Acres and Fin Consults, but all their recommendations on the economic importance of pulp and paper industry in Ghana are cooling off on the shelves at the FORIG.
On October 28,2009,the Minister of Science and Environment, Shirley Ayittey,paid a courtesy call at the FORIG,and impressed by the bamboo to paper technology, expressed government’s determination to support the production from bamboo species to paper. But as to when the industry will be set up is yet to be realized.
But, DR. Sekyere, the brain behind the bamboo to paper production technology, observes that “Governments are only paying lip service to science and technology in this country, they are not very serious; there is the need to completely change our attitudes to science and technology or else we will continue to beg’’.
In a voice laden with emotion he declared: ‘’If we did not also study micro-molecular chemistry-(relating to plastic manufacturing), we would have been a total waste in the society’’.
Globally, private businessmen take initiatives to establish industries, however, surprisingly all the private entrepreneurs both local and foreign that have had discussions with the FORIG over the setting up of the pulp and paper industry declined to push forward their agenda
Many in Ghana believe that this is as a result of the usual bottlenecks created by bureaucracy and government officials in the establishment of industries.
DR Sekyere, also points out that one of the stumbling blocks to the establishment of the industry may be the high cost involved. He says it may cost about 10-million dollars to kick start a small scale industry.
Scientists have questioned and continue to question why should government set up research institutes such as CSIR and cripple them by starving them of the necessary funds.
In Ghana, today, most of the research works are sponsored by international donors.
DR Dominic Blay, a forest ecologist at the FORIG, says the governments’ commitment toward science and technology is nothing to write home about as it reflects the lack of funds for research works of science institutions in the country.
Many hope that the visit of the Environment, Science and Technology Minister to the FORIG will revitalize the quest for the setting up of the pulp and paper industry in Ghana.
