Effects of community-based forest management project on women's livelihood: A case study of Rudeya forest management project in the Asunafo district of Brong Ahafo region, Ghana

Abstract

Ghana’s forest resources base is shrinking at such an alarming rate. It has been estimated that about a third of Ghana’s forest have disappeared in 17 years between 1955 and 1972 whilst the average annual rate of deforestation since the turn of the century has been estimated at 750 sq. km. Forest resources constitute the source of livelihood for about 70% of Ghanaians and the loss of forest resources at such rate has a great effect on the livelihoods of these people most of which are women. The main aim or objective of this work is to examine the perceived impact on women’s livelihood of the RUDEYA’s Community-Based Forest Protection and Management Project in the Asunafo District of Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana. To achieve this, a wide range of literature was reviewed on sustainable forest management in general and collaborative forest management in particular. Moreover, a fieldwork was undertaken which involved interviews and administration of questionnaires among the beneficiaries and other stakeholders of RUDEYA’s collaborative forest management project in about 25 forest communities in the Asunafo-North district. Questionnaires were used to collect all relevant data which were analyzed to support this study. The key findings of this study are that collaborative and community-based programs are needed to ensure sustainable forest management in Ghana. The research revealed that RUDEYA‘s community-based forest management project has improved women’s livelihoods and made a major positive contribution to sustainable forest management in the Goaso forest districts. In view of the findings, it is recommended, among other things, that sustainable community-based forest management projects be intensified for forest community people.