Accra, Ghana – June 6, 2025
The Furniture and Wood Products Association of Ghana (FAWAG) has thrown its weight behind former President John Dramani Mahama’s proposal to ban wooden furniture in schools, calling it a forward-thinking policy that promotes environmental sustainability.
Mahama made the announcement on World Environment Day (June 5), stating that his administration, if re-elected, would halt the use of wood for school furniture and instead shift to eco-friendly alternatives such as recycled plastic and metal. He emphasised that the directive is part of a larger effort to combat deforestation and restore Ghana’s forest cover.
“To reduce deforestation, I will issue a directive to stop the use of wood for producing school furniture,” Mahama said. “We will adopt environmentally friendly alternatives such as recycled plastic or metal.”
The former president also proposed a ban on Styrofoam—both imported and locally produced—citing its hazardous impact on the environment, especially in food packaging.
FAWAG: A “Wonderful and Welcome” Initiative
Reacting to the announcement in an interview on Channel One Newsroom on Friday, June 6, Christopher Dadzawa, Administrative Assistant of FAWAG, hailed the policy as “wonderful and welcome news.”
“We receive this announcement by the president to reduce the use of wood products for furniture in our schools,” Dadzawa said. “We are all aware that school furniture made of wood takes a very huge volume of wood from our forests.”
He added that Mahama’s environmental justification for the proposed ban aligns with Ghana’s broader forest conservation goals, especially at a time when the country is investing in reforestation campaigns such as the Green Ghana initiative.
“The president was quick to give the reasons for that decision… to promote our forest cover and contribute to sustaining the environment,” Dadzawa noted.
Balancing Conservation and Industry
While the policy has received support from FAWAG, it also presents challenges for wood-based businesses, many of which rely heavily on contracts for school furniture. However, FAWAG’s endorsement suggests a growing industry shift toward sustainable practices and alternative material innovation.
Stakeholders in the education, environment, and manufacturing sectors are expected to engage in consultations to determine the practical rollout of the policy, should Mahama win the upcoming elections.
A Broader Green Agenda
The proposed ban is part of a larger environmental policy platform from Mahama, who has consistently pledged to tackle pollution, promote green technologies, and mitigate the effects of climate change on Ghana’s vulnerable ecosystems.
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