The centre, which is under the Wood Industry and Utilization Division of the Institute, seeks to support the wood industry through testing services, research into efficient utilisation of wood species, products development and their standardization.

It is being manned by experts ranging from wood scientists, technologists and engineers trained both locally and internationally and has been installed with state of the art equipment by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

The Centre has also received technical support and training of staff from UNIDO to enable it meet international best practices and ISO 17025 protocols and testing procedures.

The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland has also supported the Centre through the Trade Capacity Building Programme which is a collaboration between the Ministry of Trade and Industry and UNIDO.

Prof Daniel Aniagyei Ofori, Director of the Institute, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on the sidelines of a symposium to present findings of four research works on land degradation, that all necessary documentary materials needed for the accreditation of the Centre had been developed and produced.

He said the establishment of the Centre would go a long way the check the influx of low quality wood products in the country by importers through the testing services.

"Importers will bring in only quality products since they would be subjected to testing before being allowed in the market", he said.

About 11 companies, according to the Director, have already benefited from free testing of their products sponsored by UNIDO.

Prof Ofori recommended that government contractors and suppliers should be directed to test and certify their wood products at the Centre before their supplies could be accepted.

He said the Centre was opened to players in the industry and urged timber processing companies, wood and furniture producers, exporters and importers, consumers of wood products, public schools and the general public to patronise the services of the centre to ensure quality.