GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT IN GHANA AN ASSESSMENT OF THE VOLUNTARY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

Abstract

This study to assess the role of governance systems in sustainable forest practices in Ghana using the experience of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement. It was underpinned by four main objectives: rationale for Ghana’s ratification and obligations inherent in the Voluntary Partnership Agreement VPA; the institutional structures for implementing the VPA in Ghana; VPA enforcement and forest sector trade; and constraints in the VPA enforcement process. The policy arrangement approach and complexity of joint actions provided the theoretical framework for the study. The qualitative approach within the interpretivist research paradigm was employed for the study. Essentially, the VPA was ratified as a way of speeding up good governance process in the forestry sector of Ghana, promoting sustainable management of forest resources, enhancing and sustain the trade relationship with the EU. Meeting the requirements of the VPA has led to the institutionalization of relevant structures and mechanisms within and beyond the Forestry Commission including the use of technology-enhanced tracking and independent monitor for counter verifications which helps in detection of illegal wood harvesting. The VPA together with the established enforcement structures has had far reaching positive implications on the forest sector which are discussed in the study. The study, however, observed some challenges which affect the full realization of the expected benefits associated with the VPA. The study concludes that a policy even if originates from external source is more likely to be embraced if it does not challenge but feeds into government’s prevalent activities, the legitimacy of that agreement/policy and enforcement remains higher. Secondly, the VPA is an external mechanism which has been localized and infused with ongoing projects to provide novel and innovative mechanisms for supporting Ghana’s desires and quest to manage forests better, improve peoples’ livelihoods, and protect natural resources. The study makes recommendations which includes the use of stakeholder consultations and workshops to help to address inter-agency coordination problem which will help optimize the enforcement of the VPA.