The Ghana Tertiary Wood Products Association (GHATEWPA) has made it clear that it has not been formed to either rival or undermine existing organised groups or associations in the wood sector.

GHATEWPA said on the contrary, it would complement efforts of all stakeholders including the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Ministry of Lands and Forestry as well as allied associations to improve the tertiary wood sector to enhance growth.

These were contained in a statement issued in Kumasi on Sunday, signed by the Reverend S. K. Fugah and Mr Hope Keku, President and Secretary respectively of the GHATEWPA.

"The association will liase effectively with the Ministry of Lands and Forestry and the FC to help identify problems of those in the tertiary wood production sector and seek collective solution to them," it said.

The statement pointed out that an area of serious concern to the GHATEWPA was the low standard of finished products of those in the tertiary sector, which had made it virtually impossible for them to export to earn more income.

It said the association would ensure that the standard of locally produced products are raised to the international level to pave the way for export through education and training of members.

GHATEWPA noted that apart from door and window frames, most of the finished products in the tertiary wood sector did not meet internationally acceptable standards, thereby depriving members of marketing their products on the global market.