A case study of utilization of fuel wood for fish smoking/drying industry in Ghana

Abstract

A study of the utilization of wood fuels in fish smoking/drying industry in Ghana has been carried out. Fish smoking/drying is a very important occupation for most illiterate women living along coastal Ghana and in a few inland towns and villages. The process accounts for about 60-70% of the total fresh fish landings. Cylindrical and rectangular traditional ovens are used for smoking. Firewood is used as fuel for fish smoking. Various woods are used and the qualities looked out for in selecting the woods include the following, ability to burn slowly to generate heat and smoke, ability to impart a nice colour to the smoked fish and, the cost of the wood. It was difficult to assess the quantity of wood used to smoke a known quantity of fish