The influence of national forestry policy on rural development in the Western Region of Ghana.

FRANK AWITI ADJEI

Bakalářská práce

Abstract:

The local community has a symbiotic relationship with forests and could be partners in the forest development efforts. A balanced approach to conservation and management of forests with the sole aim of the development of indigenous people can help alleviate poverty, promote sustainable development and environmental protection. Studies have shown that livelihood improvement linked to forest protection and development is a wise choice to achieve a “balance” between “people’s lives” and “forests’ survival and development. However, many forest policies neglect the local communities during implementation and also do not incorporate measures that promote local development. Understanding how national policies affect local communities including the aggregate contributions they provide and the required trade-offs with other national objectives. The main aim of this study was to investigate the influence of Ghana’s national forestry policy on rural development. Data in the form of questionnaires and interviews were collected from selected communities in the Western Region of Ghana. 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. Other national objectives.

Keywords

Forestry policy, forestry products, rural community, rural development

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 13. 6. 2020

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

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

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta lesnická a dřevařská

Bakalářský studijní program / obor:
Lesnictví / Forestry