Eco Tourism

The tropical forested zone of Ghana has to meet many demands. Ghanaians in the more southern parts of Ghana and in its urban areas remain heavily dependent on natural forest for fruit, green food, meat, building materials, raw material for household goods, timber, fuel wood, charcoal and water.

The significant annual increases in population put more pressure on the land and on natural resources, whether it is areas for more farming or incursions for more forest products. On top of this is the need to maintain or improve earnings from the export of wood products based on sustainable harvesting and management.

Responsibilities lie not only with the Ministry of Science & Environment and the Ministry of Lands & Natural Resources but with District Assemblies, local chiefs and communities, and with those elements of industry and trade connected with natural resources. Ghana has its own network of NGOs (nongovernmental organisations) concerned about various aspects of environmental conservation and having international links with environmental groups around the world.

A national forest plantation development has been launched with the aim of developing a sustainable forest resource base. Also, Ghana has been chosen as a pilot country for up-scaled REDD+ investment through the Forest Investment Program.

The Ghana Forestry Commission has the special responsibility for evolving approaches to forests which will preserve their values. There are two departments within the Forestry Commission which are totally committed to this task: the Forest Services Division and the Wildlife Division.

These among other initiatives makes Ghana stand out among the pack when it comes to forest sustainability in the tropics and a place of choice for investment into the Eco-Services areas such as Eco-Tourism, Carbon Credits, etc.