No abstract

The accelerated development of forestry sector over the past two decades has stimulated an increasing number of researchers to investigate the impact of forestry resources on economic growth amidst forest quality and quantity deteriorating factors, including illegalities. This study aims to identify and examine non-fiscal measures implemented in stimulating growth and job in the sector. Employing mixed research approach, the study provides inferences based on detailed performance description of core centers of the sector. The study revealed that, the government and regulatory agencies need to acknowledge the existence and importance of SMEs and making them part of economic analysis to project growth, innovation, job creation to social inclusion, and rural development. Also, trade associations are handicapped logistically and this derails their ability to support their members both financially and technically. Similarly, in adoption of strategies to improve short term development of wildlife resources, tourism attraction sites within wildlife protected areas could be created, which will control encroachments and add to revenue streams of the sector and would contribute to economic growth as a whole.

The study aimed at assessing the common constraints that affect the enforcement of small-scale mining laws and regulations which have created a vacuum for illegal operators to infiltrate the space with the associated environmental and social cost implications. Underpinned by the institutional theory, the study analyzes from existing theoretical and empirical studies to assess why institutions and agencies on artisanal and small-scale mining find it difficult to clamp down on illegal gold extractive activities. Retrospective literature analysis was the main method employed by the study. A synthesis from the review suggests that key challenges revolve around poor allocation of resources, poor collaboration among multiple levels and sectors, protection rackets by powerful beings in society, connivance of some traditional authorities and members, poverty, green squeezing, and cumbersome nature of ASM licensing process in Ghana. The study contends on the one hand that laws, policies, and regulations are only as good as their enforcement; whilst on the other hand, enforcement is only as good as the laws and regulations formulated in the first place. The study discusses five policy suggestions that will go a long way to help enforcement of ASM policies and institutions in Ghana.

The goal of this investigation was to identify the customary practices on sacred groves and how they can help in achieving sustainable forest management in Ghana. The study examines forest management, deforestation, and sustainable forest management concepts. A case study of Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary and Malshegu Sacred Groves was explored. Interviews with community members were executed. Also, some secondary data on these two sacred groves were equally examined. The study found that taboos and other cultural beliefs were used to protect the sacred grooves with little government support. The study recommends that the state should make laws through the environmental protection agency and the forestry commission to support the cultural practices to achieve sustainable forest management.