ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on tropical forest problems in relation to world trade. It outlines the trade and environment problems of the tropical timber sector, focusing on the issues as they affect Ghana. The country's export trade depends on a handful of products, gold, cocoa and timber being the principal components. Ghanaians also look to the forest for other goods and services, using huge amounts of wood for fuel and charcoal, and relying on the forest to supply meat and other non-timber products. In Ghana the government has worked hard to create the right laws, policies, regulations and effective institutions to ensure the perpetuation of forests and their proper economic, environmental and social use. The situation may be affecting the development of Ghana's forest products industry in other ways. Environmental groups are often fiercely supportive of the rights of local communities, and such rights are strongly in evidence in Ghana.
