Logging and the environment: The social and economic effects in the Adansi East district of Ashanti region-Ghana

Abstract

The study examined the perceptions of the various stakeholders in the forestry sector on how logging has affected the environmental and socio-economic life of the communities living around the logging areas in the Adansi East District. The following methods were used: field assessment, collection of field reports from the FSD District Office, aerial photographs of the Forest Reserves and administration of structured questionnaires. Forest Services Division staff in the District and communities living around logging areas. It was observed from the results that the socio-economic life of the people in the communities was affected negatively as their annual income has reduced due to logging. There was unemployment, and compensation for the destruction of farmer’s crops was not paid. The only positive socio-economic indicator was access roads where the loggers constructed roads from the communities to the bigger towns. However, their maintenance was left to the communities. Field visits revealed that logs were hauled through streams and even along the roads. The FSD staff had little funds and logistics to monitor the standards. The stakeholders were not aware of the standards set by the FSD. It was recommended that all stakeholders should be involved in monitoring the standards set by the FSD and also the management of the forest and wildlife resources to enable the nation’s citizenry realize both the environmental and socio-economic benefits of logging.