Contribution of non-timber forest products to livelihood of rural communities in Kumbungu District of Northern Ghana

Abstract. Ammal A, Mariam M. 2020. Contribution of non-timber forest products to livelihood of rural communities in Kumbungu District of Northern Ghana. Asian J For 4: 10-14. This survey concentrated on the contribution of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) to the livelihood of rural communities in the Kumbungu District of Ghana. Data were collected by structured questionnaires and verbal interviews to obtain information from sampled members of the communities' in the Kumbungu District of Northern Ghana. Personal interviews and direct observation were carried out. 200 structured questionnaires were administered randomly to respondents in 5 selected communities in Kumbungu District. The selected communities were Cheyohi, Kpalchi, Kokpeng, Zuolanyili, and Garizew. 40 questionnaires were administered in each community and this was used to prompt information on the uses of NTFPs in the study area. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (tables, charts, and graphs). The findings indicate that NTFPs are abundant in the study area and are found in all the forest land areas within the communities. NTFPs collection for utilization is usually carried out throughout the year. All the respondents in the five communities collect and use the NTFPs for preparation of food for the family and other purposes. The number of respondents involved in the collection of NTFPs was highest in Kokpeng community (21.3%), while only (18.5%) respondents were involved in the Garizew community. The chi-square test revealed that there were highly significant differences (P>0.05) between the number of respondents involved in the collection and non-collection of NTFPs in the district. The lowest income ranged between 1-25 (GHC) Ghana cedis week-1 whilst the highest income was 65+ Ghana cedis was generated by respondents in the district. 12.5% respondents in Zuolanyili had income ranging between 1-25 Ghana cedis week-1 and 10% of respondents' income ranged above 65+. 47.5% and 30% of respondents’ income ranged between 25-45 and 45-65 Ghana cedis respectively in the Zuolanyili community. Respondents in the Kokpeng community had the highest income of 30% above 65+ whilst Garizew had the lowest income 5% above 65+.