Women in the timber and wood industry have been urged to take centre stage in efforts at stopping the growing degradation of the forest.

Mr. Joshua Ansah, General Secretary of the Timber and Wood Workers Union (TWU), said this was necessary to sustain the industry, create jobs and assure the people of improved incomes to transform their living conditions.

He was opening the fourth quadrennial national women’s delegates’ conference of the union in Kumasi.

“Overcoming the challenges in wood and forestry sector, the role of women” is the theme for the three-day meeting.

Mr. Ansah encourage them to embark on massive afforestation programmes and actively participate in initiatives that would help to replenish the forest stock.

He said the increasing destruction of the forest alongside the degradation of the environment should become a big worry to especially women, who depended on the sector for their livelihoods.

Their contribution to the sustainable management of the forestry sector and the nation’s socio-economic development could therefore not be ignored.

He spoke of the need not only to empower them to be vocal but to also make vital contribution to decisions or policies, which would be beneficial to the growth and development of the industry.

He gave the assurance that TWU would continue to give support to all women in the sector to make meaningful contribution to the sector.

Mrs. Augustina Gyamfi, the Ashanti Regional Director of the Department of Gender, underlined the need to train and provide equal opportunities for the women.

Alberta Laryea, Head of International Affairs Department of Ghana Trades Union Congress, said it was refreshing that many women had acquired specialized knowledge of trees and forest in terms of biological diversity, sustainable management and use for various purposes.

Georgina Fletcher, Chairperson of the National Women’s Committee of TWU, pledged to continue to work hard to promote the image of the union.