Government to consider ban on export of charcoal if it drives deforestation

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, has disclosed that government may consider banning the export of charcoal if it is found to be a major contributor to increased deforestation.

He said the government is currently studying a linkage between the export of charcoal and increased deforestation.

“We will ban if a conclusive determination is made that charcoal export is driving deforestation,” the minister said.

The minister however noted that charcoal had an enormous global market, especially in the pharmaceutical industry.

“I am told of the huge market for the export of charcoal. It is a major raw material for the pharmaceutical industry of the world. It is used for the production of toothpaste as well. This has led to upsurge of the export of charcoal. So we are examining its role in driving deforestation in our country. With the concern of President Nana Akufo-Addo, we will ban it if our examination proves right,” he stated.

He was speaking at a meeting with the Bono Regional Security Council in Sunyani.

In the Savannah Region, however, the commercial production of charcoal has been banned.

The Regional Minister, Saeed Muhazu Jibril instituted a ban on charcoal production in April 2021, following which a charcoal market in Buipe, was also shut down in May.