The sorry state of bamboo and rattan sub-sector. Artisans abandon trade for menial jobs
The once vibrant business of processing bamboo, cane and rattan in some parts of the country is fast losing its lustre due to a litany of challenges summarised in the poor patronage of the craft.
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The low patronage by local consumers and the general dwindling export fortunes of non-traditional exports from the country has negatively impacted the sub-sector which about a decade and a half ago used to provide a source of livelihood for thousands of people within the value chain and their dependants.
The GRAPHIC BUSINESS checks with players in the industry indicate that majority of the artisans have diverted into other trades and working as construction and farm labourers, drivers’ mates, head porters among others.
A middle aged man, Mr Kofi Timpabi, who has been a bamboo and cane artisan for the past 30 years, said the slump in patronage had forced a large number of his colleagues into petty trading, farming, driving and other jobs.
“I can say categorically that when things were good in this industry, I normally sold about 16 pieces of the 40-foot containers of the artifact annually,” he recounted.
“However, things have drastically changed to the extent that I cannot even sell half a container for a whole year; our enviable business has become a hand-to-mouth business,” he stated.
Foreign preference
Another artisan around the Switchback Road in Accra, Mr Kwesi Owusu, attributed the low patronage to high preference for foreign products, adding that their biggest competitors were the Chinese who were highly advanced in technology.
He,however, expressed the believe that locally made bamboo, cane and rattan products could match their counterparts on the international market if the government supported it.
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“Even though, the Chinese products had neater finishing and better packaged, their wares are not as durable as our product. Artifacts made from Ghana lasts between 30 and 50 years before developing any defects,” he said.
Diverting trade
Mr Joseph Koku Dei, also an artisan on the Spintex Road indicated that because of the nature of the business, he sometimes engaged in other jobs to cater for his family.
Mr Dei, 35 years, is married with three children and a professional carpenter, due to the poor patronage of his products which are made from wood, bamboo and cane, he occasionally joins his wife at the market to sell second hand clothing to cater for their family.
“It was not like this when we started. At least I was able to make up for the lower patronage I experience during the year at Christmas,” he said.
Adding that he was able to sell about 30,000 of cane baskets which were normally used for Christmas hampers, but patronage slumped when the government asked agencies and departments to desist from using public resource for yuletide gifts about three years ago.
Use of artifacts
The artifacts consist of basketry, lamp holders, both living and dining room chairs and tables, wardrobe among others. The artifacts and products are basically used for decoration and as room and outdoor furniture. A set of a living room set ranges between GH¢1,300 to GH¢2,000.
Like other antiques, artifacts are cherished by their owners, with some designs originating from deep-rooted cultural practices and are identifiable to a particular region or country. Many others are handed down from generations.
New artisan centre
The government acting through the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), constructed a centre at Ayi Mensah in the Greater Accra Region for the bamboo, cane and rattan artisans in an attempt to alleviate some of the challenges faced by the artisans.
The Bamboo, Cane and Rattan Village, put up at a cost of US$416,000 was to serve as a permanent abode for the artisans in the Greater Accra Region, particularly those who were affected by the construction of the George Walker Bush (N1) and the Akuapem highways.
Centre not in use
But the artisans are yet to occupy the centre a year after the project was inaugurated and handed over to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Recourses which has oversight over the artisans.
According to the artisans, there were inadequate sheds and workshops to house the over 800 artisans scattered all over the capital city in Accra.
Because of the lack of a permanent place to ply their trade, members of the Bamboo and Rattan Association are scattered in various parts of Accra, including locations in Cantonments such as the Switchback road, and near the Flair Hospitality Institute close to the headquarters of the Ghana National Fire Service, the Dimples-Dworwulu junction and the Spintex road.
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When the GRAPHIC BUSINESS visited the Bamboo, Cane and Rattan Village, it saw only two sheds, a rest and changing rooms for the artisans.
Ministry poised to develop industry
A Policy Co-ordinator of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Recourses who has oversight responsibility over the Bamboo and Rattan Development Programme (BARADEP), Mr Joseph Osiakwan, said although the centre had not been in use for the past one year, the ministry was poised to fully complete it before the end of this year.
“To show our commitment, the ministry has purchased an extra 1.12 hectares of land for future expansion of the centre, and we have sent a proposal to the Chinese government to support the bamboo and cane industry in the country,” he added.
He said the government was committed to promoting the trade and development of bamboo and rattan products in Ghana due to the enormous economic advantage to be gained from the sector.
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He added that Ghana is highly regarded in the use of bamboo and rattan in West Africa because of the ability of those raw material to reduce pressure on the forest.
Both bamboo and rattan are used in construction works, furniture making and charcoal burning.
Bamboo shoots are used for food, watershed protection and carbon sequestration (the process of removing carbon from the atmosphere and depositing it in a reservoir among others).
Sector performance and support
The bamboo, cane and rattan industry is a key component of the non-traditional exports sector of the country’s economy. Its contribution to the country’s GDP cannot be underestimated, as it creates jobs and generates foreign exchange for the economy.
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However, the last two decades has seen a dwindling in the fortunes of the sector, as foreign exchange from the handicraft sector fell from US$15 million in 2001 to US$2.5 million at the end of 2014.
The decline, according to the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), was as a result of lack of investment in product and design development by handicraft producers.