Future Outlook

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, fuelwood, charcoal and water.

The significant annual increases in population put more pressure on the land and on natural resources, whether it be 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 & Eco Tourism and the Ministry of Lands & Forestry 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 (non governmental organisations) concerned about various aspects of environmental conservation and having international links with environmental groups around the world.

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.