Paper is an important component of our daily lives and its significance for the world economy too cannot be undermined.
The objective to give impetus to the pulp and paper mills has been prioritized by the Ghanaian government to curtail the dependence on imported paper. The tropical and savannah forests of Ghana are rich in 8 suitable wood species which serve as essential ingredients for the manufacture of paper. Provision of the right infrastructure too is naturally important and thankfully the conditions that are suitable for the paper industry to survive are prevalent in Ghana. An ambitious project under a Private-Partner Partnership (PPP) expected to feed the paper industry with the essential support has been established. The project is anticipated to create 50,000 jobs, substantially add to the carbon stock and thus offer protection from the annual wildfires that cause degradation of forests. It will help in the global fight against climate change. Ghana’s indigenously produced paper is expected to make Ghanaian paper widely visible in the West African sub region.
Publications are adapting themselves to the rising e-fever and are making their presence felt on the digital platform. However there seems to be a biased sincerity in the awareness being created to protect the trees, because the class and grandeur of wooden furniture have not been made to succumb to the so called “green feature” of metal furniture.
Today, with the warehouse-to-home business model gaining its foothold in the retail market, paper is being widely used for packaging of goods. Besides, the growing concern towards the perils of plastic bags and imposing a ban on low-micron plastic bags come as consolation for the paper industry.
There is no doubting the fact that our ecosystem needs to be cared for but remember – the commonly visible placard which reads – “Save the tree” is a paper product.
