Abstract
In our world today, the control over and the use of a country’s natural resources (and the biological diversity of which they are a part) usually present a lot of challenges for both policy makers and implementing agencies and institutions. These challenges range from weak institutional capacities and technocratic hurdles to opposition from local communities for whom policies may be meant for. However, if such challenges are effectively mitigated, large prospects usually associated with the sustainable use and management of these natural resources may be realised. In this article, based on intensive interview of experts and critical review of official reports and policy documents, we identify a number of challenges associated the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Ghana and recommend ways of addressing these challenges. 
 
 The study finds that there is usually a wide knowledge and information gap on issues related to biodiversity in Ghana. Moreover, there is inadequate funding which also leads to the inability to retain relevant experts. In addition, there is the complex nature of implementing multilateral environmental agreements in Ghana and the lack of adequate publicity on the essence of the CBD. Key among the recommendations we make are effectively engaging civil society organisations on issues of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development; the enhancement of Alternative Livelihood Projects (EnALPs); stringent enforcement of punitive and preventive measures and; the implementation of finance-generating biodiversity services.
Highlights
Implementation of the CBD in Ghana (Note 1)The implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Ghana reveals a mixed record; whereas improvement is seen in some areas, the situation in others seem unchanged, while other areas continue to witness deterioration in the face of the unceasing efforts by the duty bearers – a scenario that can be attributed partly to the usually clumsy implementation of sectoral socio-economic development policies
As a responsible member of the international community, Ghana has over the years been making several efforts to implement its international obligation under the United Nations’ CBD which the country ratified on August 29, 1994
With regards to forestry and wildlife policies, it has been argued that earlier wildlife policies in Ghana which were based upon the idea of the “conservation and sustainable development of the nation’s forest and wildlife resources for maintenance of environmental quality and perpetual flow of optimum benefits to all segments of society” (Government of Ghana (GoG), 1994, p. 8) and “the ability of the state to control the behavior of either market participants or rural populations” is no longer valid since there is inadequate evidence to ascertain that the centralized agencies mandated for wildlife and forestry protection are able to “control access to, and exploitation of, forest and wildlife resources.”
Summary
The implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Ghana reveals a mixed record; whereas improvement is seen in some areas, the situation in others seem unchanged, while other areas continue to witness deterioration in the face of the unceasing efforts by the duty bearers – a scenario that can be attributed partly to the usually clumsy implementation of sectoral socio-economic development policies. In order to achieve Ghana’s CBD targets – namely conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of biological resources, and access and benefit sharing, efforts have been made to promote the various pillars of sustainable development namely the social, economic and environmental pillars of sustainable development These efforts have been reflected in the goals of the country’s National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP), the GSGDA, National Sustainable Development Strategies (NSDSs), as well as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and have been generally integrated into policy and planning in various sectors of the economy. P., 2018) their involvement in the implementation process will ensure that experts can tap into their knowledge in managing the biodiversity sites effectively
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