China’s Desire for Rosewood Drives Illegal Timber Trade in Ghana

China’s Desire for Rosewood Drives Illegal Timber Trade in Ghana
Forest wardens walk into Kyebi Forest Reserve in the East Akim Municipal District in Eastern Region, Ghana, on Nov. 5, 2018. Cristina Aldehuela/AFP/Getty Images
Frank Fang
Updated:

China’s desire for furniture made of rosewood is decimating forests in Ghana, as corruption and collusion are driving illegal exports of the valuable timber.

The corruption was uncovered by Washington-based NGO Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), whose undercover investigators spoke directly with Ghanaian and Chinese traffickers in Ghana, as well as shipping agents.

Frank Fang
Frank Fang
journalist
Frank Fang is a Taiwan-based journalist. He covers U.S., China, and Taiwan news. He holds a master's degree in materials science from Tsinghua University in Taiwan.
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