Examining the implementation of the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) action plan in Ghana through a governmentality lens

Abstract

The EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) action plan isa key global initiative in addressing deforestation and forest degradation. Thereis considerable scholarly debate about its impact. This paper contributes tothis debate through a detailed examination of FLEGT implementation in Ghanaapplying a Foucauldian governmentality lens with focus on government practicesof problematization, knowledge production, intervention and subjectification.The analysis for its empirical materials rely mainly on document and literaturereview. The paper illustrates that FLEGT frames illegal logging as the centralproblem, which relegates other problems – forest and tree tenure and benefitsharing – to secondary positions. This problematization goes hand in hand witha knowledge production that produces ignorance rather than certainty and helpsfurthering FLEGT implementation. FLEGT implementation encompasses various interventions.It has enhanced consultation and participation of private sector and civilsociety in forest governance as well as increased forest sector transparency. Onthe other hand, it has so far been less successful in driving deeper forestgovernance reforms that could provide incentives for agents in the sector toengage actively in forest conservation and cultivation of trees. Theimplementation focuses on technical issues failing to address inherentlypolitical issues. It maintains local populations living in and close to theforest as passive subjects with limited rights to the forest and influence overits management. The paper concludes that FLEGT implementation in Ghana needs tomove from a technical focus to address political issues of tree tenure, benefitsharing and access, and suggest that civil society has a key role to play ifthis change is to happen.