Local artisans spend more time producing wood products for ready market due to unavailability of modern technology.

The situation accounts for high import bill on furniture and other wood products with further strain on the national economy.

It has also limited the profit margins of artisans since they are unable to produce the quality and quantity to feed the current market.

Most artisans are unable to afford modern technology which will allow them to save time and improve quantity being produced.

An artisan at the Sokoban wood village, Jeremiah Addo for instance, has been using simple tools in his furniture business for over fifteen years.

He is able to achieve expected results due to his ability to combine these tools and skill in the furniture industry.

From his tools and skill, he and apprentices in their shed are able to make about three sets of sitting room furniture for his customers; a number which he thinks can be improved.

“We will want to do more than this but we can’t, before that can be done I will need more apprentices or electric machines for that,” says Jeremiah Addo.             

Bosch Africa, manufacturers of electrical items and industrial equipments wants artisans introduced to modern technology to improve the wood and furniture industry.

Vice-President Vonji Rajakoba, believes this will address unfair foreign competition with Ghanaian businesses for local jobs.

“We need to reach out to the population and convert them to power tool users. We will first have to find out the reasons why they are sticking to obsolete tools and solve that problem.”

Through the Bosch Power Box project, the company is introducing artisans in Kumasi to the use of power tools to improve efficiency.

With flexible payment system, artisans can get access to these tools to improve their business.

Some artisans are upbeat about the impact of this innovation on their businesses, others remain doubtful since power cut is rampant at the industrial areas of the city.