An assessment of the effects of forest reserve management on the livelihoods of forest fringe communities in the Atwima Mponua District of Ghana

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe effect of forest reserve management on the livelihoods of forest communities is an important, yet poorly researched issue. This study examines the effect of management on the livelihoods of communities living near the Tano-Offin forest reserve in the Atwima Mponua District of Ghana. Information was gathered from one hundred and fifty forest fringe community members in Atwima Mponua District using semi-structured questionnaires. In addition, interviews were undertaken with staff from the Forest Services Division at Nkawie, the Atwima Mponua District Assembly, and a Non-Governmental Organization. We found that the communities in the study area have limited livelihood pathways due to restrictions on their access to forest resources. Furthermore, over 70% of respondents had incomes below the international poverty line of US$ 1.90 a day which was largely attributed to limited access to forest resources. We conclude that forest fringe communities in the study area and more widely across Ghana are likely to have undesirable livelihood outcomes and we stress the need for policies to involve forest fringe communities as principal participants in the process of policy formulation and decision-making regarding management of forest reserves.