Dependence on forest resources and tropical deforestation in Ghana |
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Authors: | Mark Appiah Dominic Blay Lawrence Damnyag Francis K Dwomoh Ari Pappinen Olavi Luukkanen |
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Institution: | (1) Viikki Tropical Resources Institute, University of Helsinki, Latokartanonkaari 9, P. O. Box 27, Helsinki, 00014, Finland;(2) Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, P. O. Box KNUST 63, Kumasi, Ghana;(3) Faculty of Forestry, University of Joensuu, Joensuu, Finland |
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Abstract: | In Ghana, forests provide many products on which the local population subsists. However, these resources are depleting due
to a variety of factors including agricultural expansion and over-exploitation of forest resources. This paper presents an
analysis of the level of local dependence on forest resources and its implications for forest management in Ghana. The paper
also outlines the causes of continuing deforestation in the studied region from the perspective of the local residents and
discusses what role they could play in addressing the problem. The aim is to share more light on the current causes of deforestation
and make suggestions for improved community-based forest management practices that could help to reduce deforestation. Primary
data was collected through personal interviews and focus group discussions with 431 household heads randomly selected from
three Forest Districts in Ghana. The survey showed that income from agriculture constituted 60% of the average total rural
household income. Forest income provided 38% of total household income, and off-farm income 2%. The four most highly ranked
causes of deforestation are poverty-driven agriculture, lack of alternative rural wage employment other than farming, household
population levels, and conflict in traditional land practices. This shows a shift in the view of local people who in the past
were quick to blame logging companies and government policies for deforestation. The majority of the respondents depended
on wild animals like snail, bush meat, wild honey and wild and cultivated vegetables. Given the reasons for deforestation,
much thought needs to go into agroforestry practices (e.g. snail farming, bee keeping, fish farming, and vegetable production)
in efforts to reduce deforestation, which are currently less promoted.
Readers should send their comments on this paper to: BhaskarNath@aol.com within 3 months of publication of this issue. |
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Keywords: | Economic dependence on forest Forest management attitude Local knowledge Tropical deforestation Agroforestry |
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