Forest depletion in Ghana: the empirical evidence and associated driver intensities

Abstract

PurposeThis study seeks to provide a robust piece of evidence of forest depletion in Ghana and its associated driver intensities to inform national policy decisions towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15 and beyond.Design/methodology/approachUsing a representative sample size of 733 households, which was obtained with the aid of a structured questionnaire, a descriptive analysis is used to show the evidence of forest depletion. For robustness purposes, the geographic information system (GIS) is used to provide a piece of remote sensing evidence to substantiate the claim. In addition, an ordered probit regression model is estimated given the ranked nature of the responses to determine the drivers of forest depletion.FindingsThe results provide evidence that the urban forests in the Greater Accra Region (GAR) of Ghana have been depleted. Overall, 44% argued that the depletion of the forests is high, 30% indicated that the depletion is moderate, while 26% indicated that the depletion is low. Consistent with the literature, the ordered probit regression results show that human behaviour, climate change and institutional failure are the driver intensities of forest depletion in the Region. Besides, the authors find an increasing order effect for all three drivers. Using a descriptive analysis, majority of the respondents posited that human behaviour is the main driver intensity, followed by climate change and then institutional failure. This study recommends the need for education and advocacy, community participation, law enforcement, resource mobilization, modern adaptation strategies and internalization of externalities as a way of controlling the drivers of forest depletion.Originality/valueThe study uses remote sensing techniques to provide empirical evidence of protected forest depletion in the GAR, Ghana. In addition, an ordered probit regression is used to identify the driver intensities that explain the depleted protected forests in the region.

The prospects of community-based natural resource management in Ghana: A case study of Zukpiri community resource management area

“…Strategies for managing natural resources are therefore needed to ensure that the natural resource-based of local communities are well managed ( Diawuo and Issifu, 2015 ). Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing Technologies, decision support system models, involvement of stakeholders in major decisions regarding natural resource use, community-level initiatives and use of surveillance and monitoring are emphasized as the way forward for effective natural resource management ( Amoah and Korle, 2020 ). Other studies suggested the development of environmental models and strategies that will involve the Payment for Environmental Services ( Ansong and Røskaft, 2014 ).…”

“…According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation [ FAO] (2014) , an average of 13 million hectares of the global forest cover is depleted annually, and Africa alone accounts for about 3.4 million hectares. Africa occupies the second highest position in the global ranking of deforestation, attributed to population increase and the associated increase in consumption of forest and wildlife resources ( Husseini et al., 2016 ; Amoah and Korle, 2020 ). Besides, other human-induced factors such as the conversion of forest landscapes into farmlands and settlements are highlighted ( Osei-Wusu et al., 2020 ).…”

“…In Ghana, over seventy percent of the population depends on forest and wildlife resources for their livelihoods ( Amoah and Korle, 2020 ). Thus, the forest sector has persistently accounted for about 6 percent of Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the past decade ( Osei-mainoo, 2012 ).…”

“…Thus, the forest sector has persistently accounted for about 6 percent of Ghana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) over the past decade ( Osei-mainoo, 2012 ). However, overexploitation of these resources (both flora and fauna) is causing a significant level of depletion ( Amoah and Korle, 2020 ). The country recorded a decline in forest cover of about 1.6 million hectares between 2000 and 2010 ( Marfo, 2010 ; Osei-mainoo, 2012 ).…”

Implementing effective environmental policies for sustainable development: Insight into the implementation of the CBD in Ghana

“…Though there are several studies on environmental and natural resources protection and sanitation in Ghana, not much have focused on the implementation of the provisions of the CBD and how it relates to sustainable development and international law. Moreover, the existing studies on biodiversity conservation in Ghana usually focus on the scientific aspect (natural science) and conservation practices, as well as taxonomy, and have not attempted linking it to law or international law in that regard, neither have they focused on identifying existing policies that address the issue (Acheampong et al, 2021;Amoah & Korle, 2020;Bossart et al, 2006;Gordon et al, 2000;Hackman, 2014;Hens & Boon, 1999;Okley, 2004;Opuni-Frimpong et al, 2021;Osei-Tutu et al, 2014). Consequently, several gaps remain on the subject as far as the implementation of the CBD in Ghana is concerned and it is some of these gaps that this study sought to fill (see also Botchway & Hlovor, 2019).…”