Rural Women and the High Forest of Ghana: A Case Study of the Nkawie Forest District

Abstract

Abruquah, E. 1996. Rural women and the high forest of Ghana: a case study of Nkawie Forest District. M.F. Report. Faculty of Forestry, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. 128 pp. (Advisor: J.K. Naysmith, PhD). Key words: forest conservation, forest resources, non-timber forest produce, deforestation, rural women, land degradation, taungya farming. A comprehensive record of rural women and forestry at the community level in one district in Ghana has been developed. The extent and nature of their participation, knowledge of non -timber forest products, rationale for their actions, problems they encounter, factors affecting their activities, effect of such activities on the forest resources and the various ways by which they contribute to forest conservation are reported. Hie study methods involve participant observations and unstructured interviews in five villages in Ashanti Region of Ghana. Results of the study indicate that women know about the seasonality, availability, values, distribution, types and cost of various forest products. The forest work women do and the purpose and the ways they utilize forest resources depend on the characteristics of the forest available to them and the kinds of economic resources available to their household. For 40 percent of the women in the Nkawie forest district, the principal reason for engaging in forestry activities is to earn income. Allocation of sufficient time to meet all other needs is their major concern. Generally the commercial activities of the women, especially the extraction of fuelwood, tend to have a negative effect on the forest resources while their activities on a domestic basis have a minimum or no effect on the forest. Some recommendations are made as to how women can more effectively participate in forest management activities including the decision making process at levels beyond the household.