By: Akofena Project Consortium
Sustainable forest governance is not achieved through policy frameworks and enforcement alone. It depends on transparency, accountability, and the active participation of citizens, particularly those living in forest fringe communities whose livelihoods are directly tied to forest resources.
Across Ghana, these communities are significantly affected by decisions on timber harvesting, land use, and benefit-sharing arrangements between government and private timber companies. Yet, despite their proximity to these resources, many lack the information, tools, and platforms needed to effectively participate in monitoring forest operations or to hold duty-bearers accountable.
In response to this challenge, EcoCare Ghana, through the Holding Power Accountable in Forest Governance through Citizen Action (Akofena Project), is working to strengthen community-led independent forest monitoring in Timber Utilisation Contract (TUC) areas. Supported by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office through the Forest Governance, Markets and Climate Programme, seeks to improve forest governance systems in both Ghana and Liberia.
As part of its initial scoping exercise, the project team engaged with the Forest Services Division (FSD) across the Offinso, Nkawie, and Juaso forest districts in the Ashanti Region. These engagements marked an important first step in building institutional alignment and collaboration. During the discussions, Project Manager Enock Danso Okyere explained that the purpose of the scoping exercise was not only to introduce the project but also to ensure that its implementation aligns with existing forest governance frameworks while strengthening collaboration between state and non-state actors.
He emphasized that the project aims to contribute to sustainable forest management, reduce illegal logging, and enhance the role of civil society and communities in forest governance and oversight. The response from the FSD was encouraging. District officials demonstrated a clear willingness to collaborate by providing lists of eligible communities, assigning technical officers to support coordination, and facilitating access for community sensitization activities. Ms. Pricilla Asomani, the Juaso District Forest Manager, highlighted that effective forest governance can only be achieved through strong partnerships among all stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society, and local communities.
With this foundation established, the project team moved into the communities for sensitization. Sensitization engagements were conducted across 33 forest fringe communities, bringing together traditional leaders, assembly members, unit committee representatives, smallholder farmers, and youth groups. These meetings created a platform for open dialogue, allowing community members to better understand the project while also sharing their lived experiences.
During these interactions, Enock Danso Okyere outlined the objectives of the Akofena Project and the critical role communities would play in independent forest monitoring. He stressed that communities should not be seen as passive beneficiaries of forest resources but as active partners in ensuring accountability and sustainability in forest management.
The conversations that followed revealed a nuanced picture. On one hand, some communities pointed to visible benefits from Social Responsibility Agreements, including the construction of schools, teachers’ accommodation, and community centres. These examples demonstrate that when implemented effectively, SRAs can contribute meaningfully to community development.
On the other hand, community members raised persistent concerns that point to deeper governance challenges. Issues such as illegal chainsaw operations, delays in benefit sharing under the Modified Taungya System, and lack of clarity in timber yield allocations were widely reported. A recurring concern was the limited transparency surrounding Social Responsibility Agreements, particularly how payments are calculated.
Many participants expressed frustration over the lack of access to reliable data on timber volumes harvested. Without this information, communities are unable to independently verify whether the benefits they receive reflect the actual value of resources extracted from their lands. This gap not only undermines trust but also weakens the ability of communities to engage meaningfully in forest governance processes.
In response, community members called for improved access to information, as well as practical tools that would enable them to monitor forest activities and verify data related to timber harvesting and revenue flows. Their concerns highlight a critical issue at the heart of forest governance: transparency is not just a principle, but a prerequisite for accountability.
Mr Danso Okyere, argued that, ultimately, the success of forest governance reforms will depend on how well community voices and experiences are incorporate into policy reforms. He added that EcoCare Ghana, through project, will build the capacity and provide the tools necessary for communities to engage meaningfully in forest monitoring.
The Akofena Project consortium is committed to ensuring that forest fringe communities are not only heard, but are also equipped to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of Ghana’s forests.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
