Ghana is to begin logging forest submerged for 40 years by the construction of hydroelectric dams.
Rot-resistant hardwoods, such as ebony, wawa and odum, will be harvested by cutting equipment mounted on barges guided by sonar to grab trees from below the water. About 14 million m³ of timber worth about £2bn is believed to be salvagable.
Robert Bamfo, head of climate change at the Forestry Commission of Ghana, told Reuters the scheme would alleviate pressure on the country’s forests and help cut the impact of deforestation and the burning of Ghana’s forests.
He said the harvesting is due to start in October.
