Forest Governance in Ghana

Abstract

Even though the actual extent of forest loss in Ghana is contested, it is generally acknowledged that the country has one of the highest rates of deforestation in Africa. In order to portray the contribution of policy weaknesses to this problem, this paper examines the historical trends in forest governance the country. The analysis reveals that the high rate of forest loss in Ghana is partly caused by weak forest governance. Most of the principles of good forest governance, which includes recognising local community rights over trees and creating incentives for sustainable forest management, have historically been ignored by state forest managers. Weak forest governance has contributed to conflicts between the Forest Services Division and forest communities, and discouraged the protection of forests by local people who are the actual owners of the forests. Based on these findings, collaborative forest management arrangements which give local farmers well-defined rights and responsibilities are recommended to improve the governance of Ghana’s forests.