A senior faculty member at the Department of Wood Science and Technology, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), KNUST, Dr. Rogerson Anokye, has successfully completed a one-month professional development workshop at Lakehead University in Ontario, Canada.
The specialised programme, "Workshop in Wood Science and Forest Products on Best Practices in Sustainable Natural Resources Management," equipped participants with advanced methodologies, global standards, and cutting-edge innovations in the forestry and wood science sectors.
Unlike a conventional classroom-based programme, the workshop combined field-based learning with laboratory training.
Dr. Anokye participated in practical sessions at managed forest sites, sawmills, pulp and paper mills, and research laboratories, where he gained firsthand experience in sustainable forest management and modern wood-processing technologies.
The training explored how forest management practices, such as thinning, selective harvesting, and rotation cycles, influence the anatomical, chemical, and mechanical properties of timber.
It also introduced participants to Canadian approaches that balance wood quality with environmental sustainability, providing insights that could be adapted to tropical forestry systems.
As part of the programme, Dr. Anokye toured Lakehead University's advanced research laboratories and specialised facilities, gaining exposure to cutting-edge technologies used in wood testing and processing.
Beyond technical training, the workshop created opportunities for research collaboration and knowledge exchange with international experts, strengthening prospects for future partnerships between KNUST and Lakehead University.
“The insights and advanced practices gained from this workshop will be integrated into the department's curriculum and research initiatives, further enriching the training of students and the development of the local industry,” Dr. Anokye said.
His participation underscores KNUST's ongoing commitment to capacity building, international collaboration, and driving sustainable solutions within Ghana's natural resource and wood processing sectors.
The Management and the entire KNUST community congratulate Dr. Rogerson Anokye on this significant milestone and look forward to the impactful knowledge transfer ahead.
