DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGIES OF FORESTATION OF THE TROPICAL HIGH FOREST OF GHANA

Abstract

A recent survey of the status of plantation forests in Ghana revealed a past trend of lack of sustainable commitment to the development of forest commodity resources, despite increasing production and degradation activities. This paper describes a new approach to forestation development aimed at sustaining the natural tropical high forest. The current qualitative and quantitative status of the high forest shows it is degraded. Historically, forestation activities aimed at rehabilitating plantation forests have been unsuccessful for many reasons; a long-term and comprehensive approach towards developing a sustainable forestation program is therefore being implemented. The program's success depends on implementing effective measures such as forest policy and tenure arrangements, strategic and operational planning, economic incentives, and institutional reforms. These measures are designed to motivate the active participation of private and local civil organizations while ensuring successful commodity resource development, particularly the development of timber.