SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT IN GHANA The role of Geospatial Technologies Thomas Okyere Regional Manager 14TH June 2017, Sunyani

Outline of Presentation Introduction An Overview of Forest Resources in Ghana The Practice of Sustainable Forest Management Practices in Ghana The Significant Importance of Geospatial Technology For Effective Forest Management In Ghana Major Application Areas for GIS in Forest Management

An Overview of Forest Resources in Ghana The total forest cover is 6,335,000 ha (27.8% of land area) of which 6,259,000 ha is natural forest and 72,000 ha plantations with a per capita of 0.3 ha (FAO 2000). Ghana’s permanent forest estates consist of 266 forest reserves and 15 wildlife reserves. These reserves were set up by the colonial administration between 1930 and 1950 and cover an approximate area of 3.5.million ha. Annually, Ghana loses about 2% of it’s forest cover. 4.5 million ha of close forests remained in 2011 with 1.6 million ha being forest reserves

The Practice of Sustainable Forest Management Practices in Ghana Attempts to sustainably manage the forest resources in Ghana have varied over time as social, political and economic conditions change. Logging policies have similarly changed frequently over the last few decades with various measures adopted at different stages in an attempt to optimise the production potential base. In pursuance of sustainable forest management in Ghana, timber production in the past was permitted through long-term concessions and short-term licenses. In the 1970’s there was considerable decline in all the sectors of the timber industry including log products, sawn lumber and processed wood products due to general economic depression in the country. Under the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) introduced in 1983, the timber industry was revitalised and timber production has increased dramatically since then but at the expense of the environment

Although, some measures were introduced at the time to prevent over-exploitation, they seem not to have yielded the needed results anticipated by all. Currently, there seem to be a revisit of the 1970 decline in the timber industry probably as a result of lack of raw material to feed the industries or lack of market for the wood industry as a result of which most of the industries have closed down. There is therefore the need to sustainably develop and manage the remaining forestry and wildlife resource so as to leave future generations and their communities with richer, better, more valuable forest and wildlife endowments than we inherited.

The Practice of Sustainable Forest Management Practices in Ghana (Forest Reserve Management Plans ) Essence of Forest Management Plans Forest Reserve Management Plans are key strategic planning tools required by Regional and District Forestry Staff. They provide the overall management direction for an individual forest reserve or group of forest reserves combined for ease of management into Forest Management Units (FMUs). Forest Reserve Management Plans set out the medium to long term planning objectives for forest reserve(s). The main purpose of Forest Reserve Management Plans is to present: ► the current state of the extent and quality of the forest resources ► the utilisation of the forest resources ► the zoning of the forest into recognised management categories based on defined principles ► the synthesis of the ownership and legal status of the reserve

Forest Reserve Operational Plans Forest Reserve Operational Plans are prepared soon after completion of the strategic plans and reviewed every five years. They are brief and focus on the more pressing tasks to be undertaken over the five years for each of the management zones. Operational Plans are prepared on a reserve by reserve basis. Timber Utilisation Contract Operational Plans Operational plans for the Timber Utilisation Contract (TUC) Areas for both on and off reserves are prepared by the contractor and approved by the Forest Services Division. They set out details of the level of logging and its location over a five year period and are supported by more detailed compartment plans (on-reserve) and annual plans (off-reserve). Commercial Plantation Plans For reserves where commercial plantation development programmes are to be undertaken within the next three years, afforestation plans are required to be prepared to serve as the basis for the grant of approval to the investing company.

Timber Resources Allocation The Colonial Perspectives Until 1998, timber harvesting was undertaken by timber concession holders who leased the land for a period from 3-99 years, logged under the defunct Forestry Department’s regulations until the concession expired after which they had the option to renew the lease. Available records indicate that, the turn in the economy during the period between the reservation phase and the first cycle logging of the 1970s saw a decline in forest management practices. In the circumstances, it was difficult to achieve sound environmental conservation.

The Current Perspectives The enactment of the new Timber Resources Management Act of 1997 (Act 547) by the management of lands and forestry in (1997) has replaced the concession system with a process of competitive tender under the Timber Utilization Contracts. The law sets guidelines for the identification of the Timber Utilization Contract (T.U.C) areas, endorsement of Timber Contract Advertisement and allocation to prospective applicants. Once a Timber Utilization Contract has been awarded to a concessionaire, there is a laid down technical procedure to be followed to enable the concessionaire gain access to the Forest Reserve to commence exploitation.

Geospatial Technology For Effective Forest Management In Ghana Satellite imagery is increasing being used to monitor changes in Ghana’s forest cover. The Forestry Commission through its technical wing, the Resource Management Support Center employs Geographic information system technology to provide up to date information on maps and trends in forest cover in the country.

The Significant Importance of Geospatial Technology For Effective Forest Management In Ghana Geospatial technologies simplify evaluation, planning and management of forest resources and therefore enhance the execution of the modern forest management. It is an essential component of Natural Resources Management Tools, as natural resources are directly affected by changes in the shape and extent of the proposed disturbances GIS is good tool for Forest Management because it answers questions that help in forest management activities. Location – Where is it? Location of the resources in the earth in many ways such as place name, geographic references (latitude and Longitude) Condition – What is at? Non forested land of certain size. Size of plantation Trends – What has changed since and how is it changing? Modeling – What if? Determine what happens, if a net work is added in a forest.

Major application areas for GIS in forest management Assessment and Monitoring forest resources Primarily the objective of most resources assessment and management is to know and map what exist in a forest area. In Forest Protection Whether against fire, pest and diseases and human activities, requires sound spatial data in planning and implementation. In Forest Harvesting Location of resource stands, timber inventory data, ecological sensitive areas, key attributes of terrain and other important factors that could be mapped for preparation of harvesting plan. In Preparation of Forest Management Plan Systematic forest management requires division of the forest area into blocks and compartments. Zoning into production areas, convalesce and protected areas.

Conclusion The forest sector in Ghana is the fourth largest foreign exchange earner for the country. This contribution however comes mainly from the formal forest sub-sector consisting of regulated industries in timber and timber products rather than from the informal sub-sector characterised by small and medium forest enterprises (SMFEs) broadly covering wood forest products, non-wood forest products and forest services. The contribution of the forest sector to resource sustainability is an indispensable pre-requisite for the sustainability of the livelihoods of all who depend on forest resources for their raw material. It will therefore be naturally expected that at such forum, deliberations will focus much more on how best to sustain the resource base.