The influence of national forestry policy on rural development in the Brong Ahafo Region in Ghana

Bc. Isaac Nyarko

Master's thesis

Abstract:

Forests are necessary for human survival and well-being. World Bank report in 2001 indicated 1.6 billion rural poor people globally, have their livelihood protection from forest (World Bank, 2001). Forest resources play an important role in protecting the environment and in sustainable development. Thus, apart from timber production, people who live in communities close to forest also obtain Non-Timber Forest Products from the forest as a source of food and medicinal purposes. The main aim of this study is to investigate the influence of the Ghana’s national forestry policy on rural development. Data in the form of questionnaires and interviews were collected from three selected communities in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana as well as local residents, forestry officers, and Ghana Statistical Services. The SWOT analysis was used as a tool to indicate community involvement in the forest sector. The research results indicate some major challenges facing the rural communities and the entire people living around the forest area. Rural communities are aware of forest policies but perceive that it is the responsibility of the government to protect it since “the government” owns it. The national forest policy in Ghana has little to do with the development of rural communities. Therefore, the national forest policy in Ghana needs to be amended for positive rural developments and improvement of livelihoods of forest communities. It is necessary to improve the human dimension of forest and forest resources management, especially the indigenous perspective.

Keywords

rural community, forestry policy, forestry products, rural development

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 22. 1. 2019

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: doc. Ing. Miroslav Hájek, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences

Master programme / field:
Forestry Engineering / Tropical Forestry and Agroforestry