RESEARCH TO COPE WITH GLOBAL CHANGES: ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICA Joe Cobbinah Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Kumasi, Ghana SPECIAL PRESIDENT’S DISCUSSION FORUM XXII IUFRO CONGRESS – 10 AUGUST 2005 BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA

Introduction One of the world’s most urgent moral challenges is poverty. Est 51% of people in Tropical Africa live in abject poverty For many of these (90%) forest resources directly contribute to livelihood (sustenance, income, employment, etc.) With the current rate of depletion (5 million ha annually) the livelihood of this segment of the population is being profoundly affected.

The bigger issues in Forestry in Africa are:- Accelerated deforestation. High incidence of poverty amongst forest fringe communities.

What can the Forest do for the Poor Provides life supporting goods:- - Food (tubers, fruits, bushmeat, mushrooms, snails, etc.) - Fuel, Fodder - Medicines - Extractives (essential oils,dyes,resins) - Timber Source of Income Source of Employment Environmental Services

What is the role of forestry research in poverty reduction and SFM The fundamental goal of forestry research is to develop technologies, processes and policy innovations to ensure perpetual flow of goods and services of the forest SFM The?

What is the Role of Forestry Research in Poverty Reduction SFM= balance between development (forest use) and environmental sustainability

CAPACITY FOR SFM IN AFRICA 1.The Forestry Research System:- Africa has one of the weakest institutional capacity for SFM In the pre-independence era, the forest sector was dominated by export oriented policies and the research agenda reflected the importance of the few desirable export species with a narrow research focus on forest management and silviculture. There are about 1,200 scientists undertaking forestry and forestry related developmental activities in as many as 54 countries. Less than 10 countries have institutions dedicated to forestry research In many countries forestry research is subsumed under agriculture research. Forestry Research intensity is only 1/10 of agriculture research

FORNESSA AFREACORAF-ForetSADC-FANR

Priority Research in Subregional Institutions

Challenges to Forestry Research in Africa As a production system:- (a)- Input-oriented challenges (Funding, Infrastructure, Equipment, Human Resource) - Process-oriented challenges (Management Competences) - Output-oriented challenges (Quality, quantity and appropriateness of technologies) (b)  Access  Skills  Strategy  Values

Challenges with respect to Access

Challenges with respect to HRD

Challenges with respect to research strategy

Challenges with respect to values

Fire fighting approach Practical Strategic Plan approach –Kenya Forestry Research Institute –Forestry Research Institute of Ghana – Turning a future vision into reality (Roadmap). Strategic Thrust Areas: –Fund mobilization Plan –Infrastructure Development Plan –Human Resource Development Plan –Management Plan –Outreach Plan How are the African Institutions addressing these challenges:

GOG Funding for FORIG (2004) Budget LineAmount (USD) % of Total Salaries & Wages756, Administration 30, Research Operations 21, Development-- TOTAL 808,296

Impact of low level funding deteriorating physical infrastructure woefully inadequate research materials reflected in low research outputs poor staff moralehigh attrition rate

Fund Mobilization Plan Grant applications Contract research Selling products/technology Technology transfer workshops Consultancy services Ecotourism

Government of Ghana support to Research Programmes at FORIG ( ) Year Amount Amount in million (¢)in US $ 1997 ¢ 4019, ¢10042, ¢11028, Nil Nil ¢10412, ¢12914, ¢19021,111

What IUFRO can do Access - Information, References (GFIS) - Collaborative research through joint proposal writing Skill development: - Proposal writing - SPDC Modules - Scientific writing - SPDC Modules - Research methodology and Analysis - Entrepreneurship - marketing, selling technologies, IPR. - Management and leadership in research

IUFRO should facilitate the mobilization of global intellectual resources and funding to assist in dealing with tropical forest degradation. There are two (2) forces coming together which make this period potentially the brightest moment in Africa history. G8 –Realism and generosity Africa – Responsibility and accountability

IUFRO should capitalize on the current global attention to Africa development problems to advocate for the setting up of special partnership funds for research in Africa to bypass government failure often rooted in low economic performance and corruption. This would be in line with Danish PM advice to EU and partners to direct assistance to Africa to Research and Education. What African needs most is Grand Coalition of Scientists. Researchers without boundaries.

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