Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - SHS 3

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Define Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs).
• Identify various sources of NTFPs found in Ghana.
• Discuss the uses of NTFPs in making wood artifacts.
• Understand the significance of NTFPs to communities and the environment.

Lesson summary

This lesson explores the vast resources our Ghanaian forests offer beyond just timber for construction and furniture. We will delve into Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), which are essential to our daily lives, culture, and economy. From the food we eat, like snails (`awa`) and mushrooms (`mmire`), to the traditional medicines that keep us healthy and the materials like rattan used for making beautiful furniture, NTFPs are all around us. Understanding them helps us appreciate our forests more, recognise business opportunities, and think about how to use these resources sustainably for future generations.

Lesson notes

This section breaks down the core ideas you need to understand to master the classification of NTFPs. A. What are Forest Products?

Before we talk about NTFPs, let's understand the broader term. Forest products are any materials derived from a forest for human use. Traditionally, these have been divided into two main groups. B. The Two Main Groups of Forest Products Timber Forest Products (TFPs): These are the products derived from the wood of trees. They are the primary focus of industrial forestry and large-scale woodwork. Examples in Ghana: Odum logs, Mahogany, Wawa boards, Sapele, Teak poles, plywood, veneer. Primary Use: Construction (beams, roofing), Furniture making, Export (logs, lumber), Fuelwood and Charcoal (on a large scale). Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs): This is our main focus. NTFPs are all biological products, *other than timber*, that are harvested from forests for human use. They can be parts of plants (leaves, bark, fruits), or they can be animals and other life forms found in the forest. Definition: Any product or service that comes from the forest, excluding large-scale industrial timber, pulpwood, and fuelwood. Key Idea: If it's from the forest and it's not a log or a sawn board, it's most likely an NTFP. C. Classification of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs)

The most useful way to understand the vast range of NTFPs is to classify them by their use. This helps us see their direct value in our lives. Here are the major categories with Ghanaian examples:

Category 1: Food and Edible Products These are NTFPs harvested for human consumption. They are a vital source of nutrition and income for many rural communities. Animals: Snails (`awa` or `nwaw`), Bushmeat (`adinam` - e.g., grasscutter/`akranteɛ`), insects (e.g., termites). Plants & Fungi: Mushrooms (`mmire`), Fruits (e.g., Shea nuts, dawadawa, black velvet tamarind/`yooyi`, baobab fruit), Seeds & Nuts (e.g., Allanblackia seeds for oil), Spices & Condiments (e.g., Grains of Selim/`hwentia`, `prekese`). Vegetables: Forest leaves used for soups and stews (e.g., `kontomire` varieties found in fallow lands). Other Products: Honey and Beeswax.

Evaluation guide

• Classify Non -Timber Forest Products (NTFPs).
• Critical Thinking and Talk for Learning Approaches: Guide learners through
• whole class session to brainstorm the meaning of NTFPs with open -mindedness.
• understanding