Owusu’s book addresses an urgent need for in-depth studies of the commercial forestry industry in Africa. His incisive analysis demonstrates how Ghana’s domestic forest-based economy was undermined and its forest resource base depleted as a result of structural adjustment policies that targeted forests as a quick-fix “cash cow” for debt repayment.

Robert Stock, University of Winnipeg

Using the timber industry and its role in national development, this book critically discusses the paradox of Africa’s underdevelopment in the midst of her abundant natural resources. It is comprehensive in its scope and serves as an important resource and reference material on the exploitation of Africa’s tropical timber resources and trade, and the implications for national development. It discusses the role of development theories, geographical concepts of space, colonialism, imperialism and informal economies in the timber industry’s changing markets. In this regard, the book fills an important gap that has not been addressed in Africa’s development literature.

Seth Appiah-Opoku, University of Alabama

Owusu’s book contributes to our understanding of the dynamics, processes and relations pertaining to tropical forests and timber sectors in Africa and, particularly, raises our awareness of the impact of SAPs and the role of international economic processes and powers in contributing to shaping forest policy choices

Journal of Modern African Studies