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Resources
The natural forests of Ghana occupy nearly 40 percent of its land area and occur in two ecological zones: the tropical high forest which covers one-third of the country and provides the major source of logs for the wood products industry; and the savannah zone which covers the remaining two-thirds of the country¿s total land area and plays an important part in the supply of building poles and fuelwood and charcoal.

Two-thirds of the population and most of the country¿s economic activity (cocoa, oil palm, timber and mineral production) is concentrated in the high forest zone, which includes seven administrative regions. In contrast, the less populated savannah zone covers just three administrative regions (Northern, Upper East and Upper West) where the majority of households are engaged in intensive production of food crops (especially groundnuts), cotton and livestock. Although population density in the Northern Region is relatively low, the high ratio of livestock per household and free grazing practices have resulted in more extensive and rapid desertification than in the Upper East, where desertification is mainly a result of population pressure.

Products
Forestry contributes significantly to both the economy and social welfare of the population. However, apart from the timber industry, the contribution of forestry to the economy is greatly undervalued, mainly because of the lack of reliable statistics, especially with respect to non-wood products which generate a wide range of income generation opportunities for many forest communities.

The timber industry accounted for 6 percent of GDP and 11 percent of total export earnings in 1996. The forestry sector directly employs 75 000 people and provides livelihoods for over 2 million people.

Overall, fuelwood and charcoal meet about 75 percent of the country¿s fuel needs. Woodfuel harvesting has particularly heavy impacts in the savannah zone, which has experienced uncontrolled deforestation and soil erosion as a result.

In both forest zones, forests are important sources of non-wood forest products and services for the rural economy. On farm, agroforestry systems help maintain soil fertility and trees yield a wide variety of non-wood products (traditional medicinal products, tubers, fruits and nuts) which are important for subsistence use and for income generation. Of particular significance is the reliance on bushmeat as a source of animal protein in rural areas, and the commercial trade supplying bushmeat to urban areas.

Major issues
Logging of natural forests in the past has not been sustainable. Current efforts to introduce sustainable practices, including a ban on chainsaw logging, are causing short-term disruptions to livelihoods of people dependent on the timber industry. Fire, bush cultivation and uncontrolled grazing remain the main causes of forest degradation.

Destruction of forest and woodlands for the supply of wood energy continues unabated, and there is an urgent need for a cross-sectoral approach. Urban and rural people continue to depend on forests, wooded lands and trees outside the forest for much of their subsistence requirements. Bushmeat (a major source of protein) and traditional medicinal products are particularly important.

High population growth coupled with rapid encroachment by agriculture and livestock, uncontrolled cutting and previous government policies have contributed to the currently high deforestation rate of 1.3 percent per year. Loss of forest cover in Ghana has had an adverse effect on agricultural productivity and the environment.

Last updated: March 2004