FIRST NATIONAL CONFERENCE

Transcription

1 FIRST NATIONAL CONFERENCE 100 YEARS OF FORESTRY IN GHANA Mr. Samuel Afari Dartey Chief Executive, Forestry Commission

2 Introduction Background Outline Trajectory of Forestry Initiatives Forest Protection/Reservation ( ) Timberization ( ) Post Independence Events ( ) Contexts and Influences over the 100 years Forest Policies Forest Resources Situation Some Key Threats to the forest Resources Forest Management Systems Forest Institutions Key challenges Over the 100 years Way Forward /Conclusions

3 Introduction Two-thirds of Ghana is dry savannah One-third is High Forest In 1900, Forest zone covered 34% of total land areas In 1900, over 75% of forest land areas had been lost Over 2,100 plant species (730 tree species) 220 species of mammal, 721 birds, 850 butterflies

4 Background Trajectory of Forestry Initiatives Forest Protection/Reservation ( ) (Introduction of colonial rule to World War II) Forestry Department established in 1909 Reservation policy (Forest Reservation Started Timberization ( ) Liquidation of Off-Reserve for agriculture Timber harvesting, the main concern of Forest Policy Chiefs and communities marginalized

5 Background Cont. Post Independence Events ( ) Protected Timber Lands(PTLs) introduced to avoid conversion of forests into farmlands Other Institutions established in 1965 (FORIG. WD. 1 st FC) Over-exploitation of prime species mainly for export Development Partners in collaboration with Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources catalyzed a period of studies and Projects in the forest sector FRMP, FIMP, FIP,NRMP. FSDP I. FSDP II. NREG, VPA, REDD+ FPP, FIP are all projects or programmes held at various times on the forests (i.e policy, management, governance, legal timber etc) In 1994, Promulgation of the 1994 Forest and Wildlife Policy In 2012, Review of Forest and Wildlife Policy (Emerging issues)

6 Background Cont. Legislation and Laws A number of legislation passed to back various forest policies eg 1927 Forest Ordinance Cap 157 In 1974, Forest Protection Decree passed imposing stricter penalties on forest offenders In 1961, Wild animals reservation, Act 43 In 1976, Forest fees regulations introduced affection royalties, silvicultural fees 1998 Timber Resource Management, Act 547 Timber Resources Management Regulations LI Timber Resources Management (Amendment) Regulations LI 1721, Forest Plantation Fund Act Act Forestry Commission Act (Act 571) At a point an attempt was made at consolidating all the sector laws

7 The first forest policy promulgated in 1948 which focused on environmental conservation, the management of the permanent forest estate and liquidation of the off-reserve resources The 1994 forest and wildlife policy was comprehensive and aimed at transforming the forest sector However, Contexts and Influences over the 100 years Forest Policies Over the 100 Years - Some aspects on participation were vague - Not signed clear intention to depart from concentration on timber alone - Overtaken by emerging global issues like certification rights, REDD+, VPA etc. - could not halt degradation in forest resource base The 2012 forest and wildlife policy - Places emphasis on non-consumptive values (emerging issues climate change, PES, Plantation development -Create balance between timber production and marketing to satisfy domestic wood demands

8 Forest Resources Situation Most of Ghana forest areas over the 100 years have been deforested and degraded About half of the Reserved (Protected forest areas, some 900,000Ha) is in good condition with the remainder mostly degraded (open forests) The condition of each of Ghana 214 reserves have been assessed with the condition score running from 1 to 6 and condition 1 showing the least of disturbance and 6 no significant Forest cover at all Most OFR forest are in small patches, sacred groves, regenerating secondary forests on agricultural lands, riverine forests and trees on farms (most of these areas are either deforested or degraded). Forest Plantation lands are not much (about 140, 000ha planted) Most of the savanna woodlands in the three Northern Regions have very low productivity resulting from annual incidence of fire.

9 Land Use For Three Epochs (1990, 2000, 2010) LU of 1990, Non Forest Cover Forest Cover

10 Key Threats to Forest Cover Degradation Most of the forests have been lost or degraded through Lost to agricultural expansion (cocoa, citrus, palm oil etc.) Wide spread of fires since 1983 Over 4.8 million cubic meter timber lost Most semi-deciduous forest have low value timber species Over harvesting pf forest resources (logging, chainsaw, poaching)etc Weak enforcement of existing legislation

11 Threats to Forest Resources

12 Forest Management in Ghana over the 100 years A review of the forest management control systems in Ghana over the years indicates mainly management of timber The management mainly based on timber production using 15 years, 25 years, removal of over-matured trees and 40 years felling cycle regime with other management elements The FMSs were exceptionally constructed and provide a model for tropical timber producing countries. However the FMS have been patchy and poorly implemented mainly led by state foresters with the exclusion of landowners and communities. And other forest users

13 Forestry Institutions over the 100 years Before 1980, direct responsibility for forest and related issue exercised by the Ministry of Forestry In 1980, 1 st Forestry Commission established under Act The Ghana Forestry Commission Act 1980 Divisions were Forestry Division, Game and Wildlife Division, Forest Product Inspection Bureau, Timber Marketing Board. In 1984, 2 nd Forestry Commission re-established under PNDC Law 42, section 34. Institutions under it, Forest Research Institute of Ghana (FoRIG), Forestry Division and Game and Wildlife Division reverted to be under the Ministry was reconstructed as Timber Export Development Board and Forest Product Inspection Bureau.

14 Forestry Institutions cont d In 1993, 3 rd Forestry Commission under Act 571 re established with Forestry Services Division (FSD), Wildlife Division (WD), Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD) under the Forestry Commission. In 1999, 4th Forestry Commission under Act 571 rationalized roles and responsibilities of Division and brought FSD, WD, TIDD under the Forestry Commission. FORIG under Council for Scientific and Industrial Research for research. Renewable Natural Resources Faculty (KNUST) providing tertiary manpower Wood Industry Trade Association (GTA, GTMO, FAWAG, GATEX, SSCA, DOLTA) Forestry Commission Training Center (FCTC) at Akyawkrom Providing training to Forestry Commission.

15 Key Challenges Over The 100 Years 1.Stakeholders have been passive on-lookers on forest policy interventions i.e o Forest Reservation, Off-Reserve Management, Revenue and other benefit collection and sharing, commercial forest resource management o The state not supported landowner/communities ability to manage forest resources o Government/FC sought to do it all o Poor Revenue collection and disbursement in respect of forest resources -Stakeholder who disagree with foresters voted with cutlasses and chainsaws -Attempt to convert PTLs to reserves in the 1960s resulted in immigrant farms converting areas to cocoa farms

16 Key Challenges Cont d 2. Over emphasis on timber in the management of forest resources for a long time. Most areas harvested and converted to agricultural activities most areas salvaged of timber for development Post war timber exportation aided by foresters and later international development partners projects and programmes. 3. No proper or clear direction in plantation forest development No strategic direction No technical and financial frameworks Initial 50,000 Ha of plantation developed from 1960 early 1970s were not managed well.

17 Key Challenges Cont d 4. Wildlife conservation management and development for a longtime not been integral part of forest reserves management. Productive FRs expropriated as game reserves or national parks and divided between agencies 5. Inadequate and erratic financing of forest programmes and activities ( operations and logistics) -Government of Ghana sources -Donor support -Landowners/Private Sector financing 6. Enforcement of Forest and Wildlife Laws All these challenges contributed to deforestation and degradation of most forest cover of Ghana over the 100 years.

18 Way Forward To arrest the decline of Forest cover and degradation of the remaining forest and its impact on livelihood of people over the 100 years, the following are recommended; 1. Nation must have deeper understanding of what forest provide; Goods (Timber, NTFPs, Bushmeat, Medicine Services (Watershed Management, Eco-tourism, Biodiversity conservation, micro-climate) 2. Explore the potential renewable nature of forest resource; Plantation Development Ranching Carbon Rights

19 Way Forward Cont d 3. Stakeholders expectations and involvement Government - Existence of forests to provide full benefits to its citizenry Landowners - Involvement in management, transparency, equitable Benefit Sharing, Employment Industry Donors Academia - Quantity, quality and availability of resources - Global nature of resources - Research

20 4. Savannah Resource Development Way Forward Cont d - Address the imbalance of emphasis of management on the High Forest Zone as exposed savannah woodlands - Design specific management modules for the savannah areas 5. Emerging issues - Payment for Environmental Services (PES) - Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) - REDD+ processes - Tree tenure/carbon rights

21 Conclusion 100 years of Forestry in Ghana though have faced serous challenges resulting in loss of forest cover, degradation and negative impact on livelihood of rural communities; Forestry in Ghana is on the right road and with perseverance, stakeholders can fashion and implement policies favorable to sustainable forest resources.

22 THANK YOU