Resource information
The overall aim of the present Forestry Development Master Plan is to provide a basis for achieving sustainable utilization and development of forest and wildlife resources, modernization of the timber industry and conservation of the environment, and thereby ensure realization of the objectives of the Forest and Wildlife Policy. At the same time, the various proposals have had to take account of the need to improve the state of the environment, the complexities of land tenure and the importance of appropriate and efficient land use. The Plan also recognizes the urgent need to address problems of unemployment and poverty and to support the role of women in development.In particular, the goal of the Forestry Development Master Plan is identical with the aims of the Policy from which the following objectives are derived: i) Management and enhancement of Ghana's permanent estate of forest and wildlife resources; ii) Promotion of viable and efficient forest-based industries, particularly in secondary and tertiary processing; iii) Promotion of public awareness and involvement of rural people in forestry and wildlife conservation; iv) Promotion of research-based and technology-led forestry and wildlife management, utilization and development; v) Development of effective capacity and capability at national, regional and district levels for sustainable forest and wildlife management. These objectives can be scheduled into three time horizons, namely, Phase I - 1996 to 2000, Phase II - 2001 to 2010, and Phase III - 2011 to 2020.Phase I concentrates on: Sustainable Forest and Savannah Management; Expansion and Diversification of Forest-based Products; Forest Industry Rationalization, and Wildlife and Protected Area Conservation. Phase II shall comprise: 1) Maintenance of sustainable forest management and National Parks management systems;2) Maintenance of commercial production systems and development of product harvesting, handling and marketing facilities; 3) Promotion of total value-added processing and competitive marketing. Phase III shall entail:1) Maintenance of sustainable forest and wildlife management systems; 2) Maintenance of commercial production systems and improved product harvesting and marketing; 3) Maintenance of competitive value-added processing industries.Part IV lays down provisions relating to implementing procedures. The correct and efficient enforcement of the present Plan is encumbent upon the following bodies, agencies and institutions: the Ministry of Lands and Forestry, the Forestry Commission, the Forestry Department, the Wildlife Department, the Timber Export Development Board, the Forest Products Inspection Bureau, the School of Forestry, Institute of Renewable Natural Resources (IRNR, Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Timber Trade Associations, Traditional Communities and District Assemblies.Part V dealing with monitoring and evaluation establishes that the Ministry of Lands and Forestry shall be responsible for proper coordination of all programmes, projects and activities under the Master Plan and will monitor implementation through regular reporting by sector agencies.The text consists of 6 Parts as follows: Introduction (I); Sectorial Profile: the Current Situation (II). This Part consists of the following chapters: General Description and Current Policy (1); Sustainability of Forest Resources (2); Protection of Forest Resources (3); Consumption of Wood Energy and Non-timber Products (4); Viability of the Timber Industry and Wood Processing (5); Conservation of Wildlife Resources and Biodiversity (6); Public Participation (7); Sectorial Masterplan (III); This Part is made up of the following chapters: Development Themes (1); Goals and Objectives (2); Phase I Programmes and Activities (3); Implementation (IV); Monitoring and Evaluation (V); Conclusion (VI). Three Annexes are enclosed.
Implements: Ghana Forest and Wildlife Policy. (2012)
