Anthony Baidoo

Membre Doctorant

Sujet de thèse : Chinese presence in the Ghana’s rosewood sector: from global forest politics to domestic realities

China is a leading importer of rosewood across the globe since the early 2000s. Because of a heightened demand for rosewood in domestic market, the country now looks to Africa for fresh supply. Rosewood is a cultural icon for China as it is transformed into ornate classical furniture (Zhu, 2017). The cultural symbol of rosewood in China has been harnessed into a flourishing economic potential. It is speculated that there is a $26 billion rosewood industry in China. This rosewood economy is partly cushioning the Chinese economy and supporting the livelihoods of these rosewood industry players (Zhu, 2020). The over heightened demand for rosewood in China has led to increased and illegal exploitation in many producer countries in Asia and Africa (Treanor, 2015). West Africa contribute about 80% of rosewood to the global trade. Ghana was ranked second to Nigeria in Africa and fourth in the world among top suppliers of rosewood logs to China by volume (Treanor, 2015; Dumenu and Bandoh, 2016). Over exploitation of the rosewood in Ghana, although motivated by the demand by the Chinese investors is made possible through the collaboration of some local actors including political elites (Kansanga et al., 2021). BBC (2019) reported that about 6 million rosewood trees has been cut down in Ghana for illegal export to China since 2012. Chinese nationals and investors have been visibly present in Ghana in the wake of the booming rosewood business. Authorities in Ghana have had occasion to impound trucks loaded with rosewood allegedly owned by Chinese (BBC, 2019). What has been the laid down procedures in the Ghana-China rosewood trade? Why has Ghana become one of the most preferred rosewood business destinations in Africa by the Chinese investors and their allies? Will the remaining Ghana’s forest ecosystems survive the increasing demand pressure for rosewood from China? Is there any arrangement to ensure the sustainability of rosewood business between Ghana and China? The proposed empirical-based research seeks to assess the power dynamics and related governance processes of Ghana-China rosewood investments and trade since the early 2000s.

Adresse professionnelle : Université Paul Valéry-Montpellier 3, Site Saint-Charles, Rue du Professeur Henri Serre, 34080 Montpellier

E-mail : anthony.baidoo@ird.fr

Téléphone :

Ecole doctorale : ABIES

Directeur(s) : Philippe Méral

Co-directeur/encadrant(s) : Alain Karsenty

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