Ghana Flag     Ghana Independence Arch and US Flag
USAID Ghana Logo Vegetables and mangoes
 

The Ghana Vision of the U.S. Agency for International Development:
Empowering Ghanaians through Partnerships to Build a Prosperous Nation.
OTHER LINKS
Economic Growth
USAID Assists ABTS Ltd

Workers stacking wood planks
Founded in 1980, Asuo Bomosadu Timbers & Sawmillers Ltd. (ABTS) is a family owned and operated company that was struggling with marketing, production and organizational challenges. The company is located in the forest zone at Berekum in the Brong Ahafo Region. Through USAID's Trade and Investment Reform Program, ABTS has been provided technical assistance and training to restructure its finances and develop new products using new technology.

USAID's assistance initially was to restructure ABTS's short and medium term debts, but it was later extended to cover the development and operation of an efficient management system, with job descriptions for key positions, and periodic reviews of progress made at implementing the strategy. The TIRP program also assisted ABTS in identifying and developing several new product lines, with higher value added, and to make more efficient use of the logs.

Worker standing next to stack of plywood ready
ABTS now uses its kiln facilities more effectively and it is exporting rotary veneer, parquet flooring, tongue and groove lumber, and an expanded line of plywood to the U.S. and European markets. It is maintaining its traditional markets in Ghana and other West African countries as well.

In 1999, ABTS registered sales of 3.9 billion cedis, and in 2001 it recorded 8.7 billion cedis (approximately $1 million). Its ability to create employment for 850 full-time employees in a rural setting is remarkable.

Currently, some bankers travel from Ghana's major cities of Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi to Berekum, seeking opportunities to lend money to a company that is successful, and the word is spreading.


Top of Page Top of Page

To view PDF files, download the accessible version of Adobe Acrobat Reader

Home Democracy Economic Growth Health Education Food for Peace