Enforcing Sustainable Forest Management Policies: An Assessment of the Institutional Structures for VPA Implementation in Ghana

Gordon Kofi Sarfo-Adu

doi:10.5296/emsd.v10i2.18346

Abstract

Public policy formulation in the forestry management space is an essential step in addressing issues of environmental degradation. That notwithstanding, policies will remain mere intents if they are not forged with appropriate structures and institutional underpinnings. This study assesses the institutional and structural mechanisms adopted to foster effective implementation of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement in Ghana. The qualitative case study design was employed to gather data from purposively selected respondents. The study observes that after ratification of the VPA in Ghana, this was forged with subsequent measures to ensure smooth operationalization of same. The structures include a Legality Assurance System (LAS); chain of custody and wood tracking system (GWTS); establishment of a Timber Verification Department to check and verify the legality of all timbers among others. The structures also entail collaborative governance, transparency and accountability measures to ensure operationalization of the VPA requirements. The study observes that where there are multiple, overlapping and independent actors along the value chain, trust and credibility is built such that those in the downstream of the implementation remain very careful and conscientious in their operations and dealings. The study concludes that relevant implementation structures interspersed with actor constellations, and multi-stake holding remain cornerstone of SFM arrangements.

Highlights

Forest resources have many uses and different stakeholders attach specific utility to these resources; some stakeholders put a demand on the resources for their socio-economic livelihoods
According to McDonald and Lane (2004), policy-makers in many countries recognize in their national forest plans as well as in the international forest policy arena the value of sustainable forest management
The connect between governance systems and sustainable forest management was championed by Dietz et al (2003) to demonstrate an approach in which the policy process gets dominated by networks of different actors powered by co-operation and consensus orientation

Summary

Introduction

Forest resources have many uses and different stakeholders attach specific utility to these resources; some stakeholders put a demand on the resources for their socio-economic livelihoods. The governance approach has implications on how people and groups interact with forests; in that regard sustainable forest governance approaches have been advocated by different stakeholders. The connect between governance systems and sustainable forest management was championed by Dietz et al (2003) to demonstrate an approach in which the policy process gets dominated by networks of different actors powered by co-operation and consensus orientation. A governance system that underscores the relevance of networks rather than the government acting alone helps in sustainable forest management (Drever et al, 2006; Lebel et al, 2006). Sustainable forest management (SFM) connotes a management regime that balances the social, economic and ecological values associated with forest and considers these values for future generations (Hickey, 2008). Adopting SFM practices has implications on the social, economic and ecological pillars of sustainable development (Luckert & Williamson, 2005; Drever et al, 2006)

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion