Assessing Natural Resource Use Conflicts in the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve, Ghana

Abstract

This study assessed the type, origin, nature, level and the effect of the conflicts on the development of the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve (KSNR) in Ghana. It also examined constraints confronting effective conflict management in KSNR and made policy recommendations to help curtail the conflicts. Data for the study were obtained through interviews with the stakeholders as well as on-site observation. The results revealed that structural conflict was the major type of conflict characterizing the conflicts in the KSNR. This conflict mainly originated from weak enforcement of resource laws, absence of conflict management mechanism, land litigation and demographic changes. These together with inadequate source of livelihood and imposition of policy without effective participation of stakeholders have increased illegal activities including hunting and encroachment, resulting in uncontrolled conflicts in the KSNR. The study recommends that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources establishes a legislative instrument to put in place a well-structured conflict mechanism to address conflicts in natural resource areas. In the short term, regular conservation education programmes should be embarked on in the fringe communities for the people to appreciate the need for natural resource sustainability.

A Goal Programming Model to Guide Decision-Making Processes towards Conservation Consensuses

“…In this line, the identification and understanding of biodiversity related conflicts is paramount to conservation. Usually, the major conflicts in protected areas are structural conflicts, associated to institutional fails and demographic problems, such as weak law enforcement, absence of conflict management mechanisms, land litigation, and demographic changes [29]. In the case of Meseta Ibérica, when stakeholders were asked about the four analyzed dimensions from a wider perspective in [7], the preferences of farmers and businesspersons were related, firstly, with conservation objectives.…”

“…Other studies included the preferences of a wider range of stakeholders to analyze conflicts between stakeholders' groups. Oduro-Ofori et al [29] assessed structural, data, and interest conflicts related to the use of natural resources in a strict nature reserve in Ghana. Structural conflicts refer to inequalities in control, authority, power, institutional limitations, geographic distance or ownership.…”

Agro-Diversity in the Forest-Savannah Transition Zone of Ghana: A Strategy for Food Security against Climatic and Socio-Economic Stressors

“…Agricultural production is the main livelihood activity in the area and it includes crop farming, livestock farming, hunting, lumbering and fishing (Oduro-Ofori, 2015).…”

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“… to protect the watersheds of the tributaries of Sene and Afram Rivers; and adjacent landuse, bush burning, poaching and invasive species, particularly Chromolaena odorata (Ayivor, 2012). Though information on the reserve remains scanty, these challenges are compounded by the activities of legally established communities in an area within the reserve designated as a 'special use zone' (SUZ) (Oduro- Ofori et al, 2015). The authenticity of the designation of Kogyae as a Category Ia protected area has, therefore, come under public scrutiny as human visitation, use and impacts cannot be said to be strictly controlled or limited.…”

“…Though several studies exist on Ghana's protected area system (e.g. Hagan, 1998;Attuquayefio & Fobil, 2005;Jachmann, 2007Jachmann, , 2008Ayivor et al, Oduro-Ofori et al, 2015) there is paucity of information on the socio-economic stressors facing the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve, the only one of its kind in Ghana, hence this study.…”