North Carolina State University Department of Forestry Study Tour

12-28 May, 2004

Table of Contents

Topic Page General Information Participant List, Important Contact Information, Map of USA and NC 1 Ghana Basic Information:, Human Development Indicators, Geo Facts 2 Ghana At a Glance: Socio-Economic Indicators 3-4 Health Information for Travelers to West Africa (Ctr for Disease Control) 5-6 Ghana Travel Advisory (US State Department) 7-8 Packing List 9 Travel Tips to Ghana 10-11

Culture & History History of Ghana 12 Overview of Ghana’s Culture, Religion, Language, Festivals and Education 13 Customs, Colors and the Music of Ghana 14 Food in Ghana 15 Curious Coffins of Ghana 16

Natural Resources Natural Resources: Background 17 Forest Policy 18 Non-Renewable Resources 19 Bush Meat: Hunting, Trade and Traditions 20 Wildlife in the Republic of Ghana 21 Protected Areas 22 Combating Deforestation 23-24 The Volta Lake and the Akosombo Dam 25 Tree Species of Africa 26 Mangroves 27 Timber & Wood Products Industry of Ghana 28

Rapid Rural Appraisal & Certification Rapid Appraisal Methods 29 Rapid Rural Appraisal 30 FSC Principles and Criteria 31-33

Forestry Department Highlights Department of Forestry Highlights, 2002-2003 34 Syllabus and Rapid Rural Appraisal Guidelines 35 Detailed Itinerary 39 Space for Notes 41

1 North Carolina State University Department of Forestry Ghana Study Tour 12-28 May, 2004

Participants Important Contact Information

Faculty USA Erin Sills Dept. Of Forestry, Carolina Thompson, Subhrendu NCSU Pattanayak NCSU Campus Police (1) 919- 515-3333 Daniel Robison Study Abroad Office (1) 919-515-2087 Students OISSS Phone: (1) 919-515-2961 Fax: (1) 919-515-1402 Stibniati e-mail: [email protected] Atmadja MEDEX (1) 410-453-6330, UNC System Plan ID # 538 Malin Birgersson Jin Huang Angela Hubbs Ghana Emily Kwaku Passah (233) 21- 410-424/ (233) 277- 544-644 MacFayden Group Celphone Amanda Rogers US Embassy in Accra 6th and 10th Lanes, Osu. (e-mail: [email protected]) Jamie Schuler Phone: (233) 21-776-601/602 Fax: (233) 21-701-1813 Andrea Wade After Hours Emergency: (233) 21-775-297 KLM (233) 21 - 241560 / 224030 / 224050 / 776509 / 775729

Map of United States of America

Map of North Carolina

12

BASIC INFORMATION

Capital : Accra. Population : 19,894,014 (36% urban) Languages : English; more than 50 tribal languages, including Dagbani, Fante, Twi, Ewe and Ga. Predominant Religions: Animist, Christian, Islamic. Time Zone : Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed. +5Hours Raleigh time. Voltage Requirements: 220 volts (US is 110 volts) Telephone Codes: 233, country code. Currency : Cedi (US$1 ≈ 9,000 cedi)

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS

Life expectancy at birth = 57 years Malaria cases = 15,350 per 100,000 people Total fertility rate = 4.6 Infant mortality = 58 per 1000 live births Adult literacy = 72% Female adult literacy = 63% GDP per capita (in PPP) = $1,964 Population below poverty line ($1 per day) = 45%

GHANA GEOGRAPHY FACTS Reference: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/geography/

Area : 230,020 sq km of land area, slightly smaller than Oregon Location : A few degrees North of the Equator bordering Cote D'ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Togo Terrain : primarily low plains with divided plateau in south-central area Tallest Peak : Mount Afadjato, 883m Lowest Point : Atlantic Coast, 0m Climate : Tropical. The eastern coast is warm and comparatively dry while it is hot and humid in the southwest, and hot and dry in the north. Rainy Season : South: May - June and August - September, North: Rainy seasons merge Coastline : 537 km Largest Body of Water: Lake Volta, the largest man-made lake in the world. Land use : arable land: 12%, permanent crops: 7%, permanent pastures: 22%, forests and, woodland: 35%, other: 24% (1993 est.)

2 3 4

Health Information for Travelers to West Africa Taken from CDC

Food and waterborne diseases are the number one Prevention cause of illness in travelers. Travelers’ diarrhea can be All travelers to West Africa, including infants, children, caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites, which are and former residents of West Africa should take one found throughout the region and can contaminate of the following antimalarial drugs (listed food or water. Infections may cause diarrhea and alphabetically): vomiting (E. coli, Salmonella, cholera, and parasites), • atovaquone/proguanil, fever (typhoid fever and toxoplasmosis), or liver • doxycycline, damage (hepatitis). Make sure your food and drinking • mefloquine, water are safe. (See below.) • primaquine (in special circumstances; see below) MALARIA Malaria is a serious, but preventable infection that can NOTE: Chloroquine is NOT an effective antimalarial be fatal. Your risk of malaria may be high in these drug in West Africa and should not be taken to countries, including cities. Prevent this deadly disease prevent malaria in this region. by seeing your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug and by protecting yourself against Antimalarial Drugs Purchased Overseas mosquito bites (see below). All travelers to West You should purchase your antimalarial drugs before Africa, including infants, children, and former residents travel. Drugs purchased overseas may not be of West Africa, are at risk for malaria. All travelers manufactured according to United States standards should take one of the following drugs (listed and may not be effective. They also may be alphabetically): atovaquone/proguanil, doxycycline, dangerous, contain counterfeit medications or mefloquine, or primaquine (in special circumstances). contaminants, or be combinations of drugs that are not safe to use. Halofantrine (marketed as Halfan) is Symptoms and Transmission widely used overseas to treat malaria. CDC Malaria is a serious disease that is transmitted recommends that you do NOT use halofantrine to humans by the bite of an infected female Anopheles because of serious heart-related side effects, including mosquito. Symptoms may include fever and flu-like deaths. You should avoid using antimalarial drugs that illness, including chills, headache, muscle aches, and are not recommended unless you have been fatigue. Malaria may cause anemia and jaundice. diagnosed with life-threatening malaria and no other Plasmodium falciparum infections, if not immediately options are immediately available. treated, may cause kidney failure, coma, and death. Malaria can often be prevented by using Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites antimalarial drugs and by using personal protection Malaria is transmitted by the bite of an infected measures to prevent mosquito bites (see below). mosquito; these mosquitoes usually bite between However, in spite of all protective measures, travelers dusk and dawn. If possible, remain indoors in a may still develop malaria. screened or air-conditioned area during the peak Malaria symptoms will occur at least 7 to 9 biting period. If out-of-doors, prevent mosquito bites days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Fever by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats; in the first week of travel in a malaria-risk area is apply insect repellent to exposed skin. Use insect unlikely to be malaria; however, any fever should be repellents that contain DEET (diethylmethyltoluamide) promptly evaluated. Malaria is always a serious for the best protection. disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill When using repellent with DEET, follow these with a fever or flu-like illness either while traveling in a precautions: malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 • Read and follow the directions and precautions on year), you should seek immediate medical attention the product label. and should tell the physician your travel history. • Use only when outdoors and wash skin with soap and water after coming indoors. Malaria Risk : • Do not breathe in, swallow, or get into the eyes. Ghana: All areas. (DEET is toxic if swallowed.) If using a spray product, apply DEET to your face by spraying your hands and rubbing the product carefully over the face, avoiding eyes and mouth. • Do not put repellent on wounds or broken skin. 5 • Higher concentrations of DEET may have a longer with the local population, stay longer than 6 repellent effect; however, concentrations over 50% months, or be exposed through medical treatment. provide no added protection. • Meningococcal meningitis, for travel to most of • Timed-release DEET products may have a longer these countries from December through June. repellent effect than liquid products. • Yellow fever. • DEET may be used on adults, children, and infants • Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or older than 2 months of age. Protect infants by domestic animals through your work or recreation. using a carrier draped with mosquito netting with • Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing an elastic edge for a tight fit. countries in this region. • Children under 10 years old should not apply insect • As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, repellent themselves. Do not apply to young measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for children’s hands or around eyes and mouth. adults. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years If you are not staying in well-screened or air- who did not complete the series as infants. conditioned rooms, you should take additional precautions, including sleeping under mosquito netting To stay healthy, do... (bed nets). Bed nets sprayed with the insecticide • Wash hands often with soap and water. permethrin are more effective; permethrin both repels • Protect yourself from mosquito bites: and kills mosquitoes. In the United States, permethrin o Pay special attention to mosquito protection is available as a spray or liquid (e.g. Permanone) to between dusk and dawn. This is when the type treat clothes and bed nets. Bed nets may be of mosquito whose bite transmits malaria is purchased that have already been treated with active. permethrin. Permethrin or another insecticide, o Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats. deltamethrin, may be purchased overseas to treat bed o Do not breathe in, swallow, or get into the nets and clothes. eyes (DEET is toxic if swallowed). If using a spray product, apply DEET to your face by Other precautions spraying your hands and rubbing the product Yellow fever vaccination is recommended and carefully over the face, avoiding eyes and may be required for entry into certain of these mouth. countries. If you travel to West Africa, the easiest and • To prevent fungal and parasitic infections, keep feet safest thing to do is get a yellow fever vaccination and clean and dry, and do not go barefoot. a signed certificate. For detailed information, see • Always use latex condoms to reduce the risk of HIV Comprehensive Yellow Fever Vaccination and other sexually transmitted diseases. Requirements. Also, find the nearest authorized U.S. yellow fever vaccine center. To avoid getting sick... Dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, • Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors. onchocerciasis, and trypanosomiasis (sleeping • Don’t drink beverages with ice. sickness) are diseases carried by insects that also • Don’t swim in fresh water. Salt water is occur in this region. Protecting yourself against insect usually safer. bites (see below) will help to prevent these diseases. Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection, is found in fresh water in the region. Do not swim in fresh After you return home: water (except in well-chlorinated swimming pools) in If you have visited a malaria-risk area, continue taking these countries. Because motor vehicle crashes are a your antimalarial drug for 4 weeks (mefloquine or leading cause of injury among travelers, walk and doxycycline) or seven days (atovaquone/proguanil) drive defensively. Avoid nighttime travel if possible and after leaving the risk area. always use seat belts. Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever or flu-like CDC recommends the following vaccines (as illness either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or appropriate for age): after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should See your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to seek immediate medical attention and should tell your allow time for shots to take effect. health care provider your travel history. • Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). • Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for *** example, health-care workers), have sexual contact

6 Ghana Travel Advisory

http://www.travel.state.gov/ghana.html

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Ghana is a developing their credit cards in Ghana should employ all country on the western coast of Africa. Facilities for available precautions. tourism are available in the population centers of the Greater Accra region, Kumasi in the Ashanti In recent years, U.S. citizens have reported region, and in the Cape Coast area of the central substantial financial losses from certain transactions region, but are limited in the more remote areas of involving gold and other precious metals. The the country. government of Ghana maintains strict regulations on these natural resources. All agents must be licensed ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport and and all transactions must be certified. See Customs visa are required, as is evidence of a yellow fever Restrictions, below. vaccination. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should SAFETY AND SECURITY: Due to the potential for be reported immediately to local police and the violence, U.S. citizens should exercise caution and nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. maintain security awareness at all times. Large gatherings such as political rallies and street MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities are demonstrations should be avoided. U.S. citizens limited, particularly outside Accra, the capital. should be aware that Ghanaian authorities sent troops to the Northern Region of Ghana in March MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State 2002, imposed a curfew, and declared a state of strongly urges Americans to consult with their emergency to quell ethnic violence. The state of medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad emergency in the Northern Region remains in effect, to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and and the situation remains volatile. American citizens whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a are urged to avoid unnecessary travel to the medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans Northern Region of Ghana while the state of seldom cover health costs incurred outside the emergency remains in effect. United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do CRIME: Pickpocketing, purse snatching, and not provide payment for medical services outside various types of scams are the most common forms the United States. However, many travel agents and of crime confronting visitors. U.S. travelers have private companies offer insurance plans that will reported instances of these types of theft in cover health care expenses incurred overseas crowded market areas, beaches and parks, and at including emergency services such as medical tourist attractions. Instances of violent crime, such evacuations. as rape and armed robbery, have risen over the last year. At least three foreign visitors have been raped Travelers should be aware that evidence of and/or in the last six months during home assurances from U.S. insurance companies will not invasions/burglaries. American students studying in be accepted as settlement of medical expenses in Ghana have reported an increase in burglaries of Ghana. university housing. Several Americans have been the victims of theft at gunpoint during the last year. Travelers who limit their display of jewelry and When making a decision regarding health insurance, handle their cash discreetly reduce their Americans should consider that many foreign vulnerability to crime. Travelers are advised to carry doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior limited amounts of cash and only photocopies of key to providing service and that a medical evacuation documents. to the U.S. may cost well in excess of 50,000 dollars (US). Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When While major U.S. and international credit cards are consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, accepted widely across the country, credit card ascertain whether payment will be made to the fraud is pervasive. Travelers are strongly advised to overseas healthcare provider or whether you will be avoid using credit cards and to settle bills using reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some traveler’s checks or cash. Travelers who elect to use insurance policies also include coverage for

7 psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains cedis out of the country. Ghanaian currency must in the event of death. either be spent or exchanged before departure, or it will be confiscated. TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may In rare instances, visitors arriving in Ghana with encounter road conditions that differ significantly sophisticated electronic equipment (video cameras from those in the United States. The information and laptop computers) may have to deposit 17.5 per below concerning Ghana is provided for general cent of the item's value with the Customs and Excise reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a Office at the airport. To get the deposit refunded, particular location or circumstance: visitors must apply to the Customs and Excise Office in central Accra 48 hours before departure. Safety of Public Transportation: Fair Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair to Good CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and Primary roads are generally paved and well may not afford the protections available to the maintained. However, some side roads within major individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the cities and roads outside the major cities are in poor law can be more severe than in the United States for condition. The road from Accra to the central region similar offenses. Persons violating Ghanaian law, tourist area of Cape Coast continues to be the site even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or of many accidents. Travel in darkness, particularly imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or outside the major cities, is extremely hazardous due trafficking in illegal drugs in Ghana are strict and to poor street lighting and the unpredictable convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and behavior of pedestrians, bicyclists and farm animals heavy fines. such as goats and sheep. PHOTOGRAPHY RESTRICTIONS: Taking pictures The safety standards of the small private buses that near sensitive installations, including military sites transit roads and highways are uncertain. Travelers and government buildings, is prohibited. These sites are encouraged to consider this when making travel are not always clearly marked, and application of arrangements. these restrictions is subject to interpretation. Permission may be obtained from Ghanaian security Travelers are routinely stopped at police checkpoints personnel. Permission should also be obtained throughout Ghana. Automobiles and passengers before taking photographs of anyone in uniform may be searched. Drivers must possess an (police officers and military officers, for example). In international driver's license (available from AAA and some instances, film and cameras have been the American Automobile Touring Alliance). Foreign confiscated. nationals are expected to carry documentation of their status, such as a passport and visa. CLOTHING PROHIBITIONS: Wearing any military apparel, such as camouflage jackets or trousers, or AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. any clothing or items that may appear military in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed nature, is strictly prohibited. the Government of Ghana's Civil Aviation Authority as Category 1 -- in compliance with international REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: aviation safety standards for oversight of Ghana's Americans living in or visiting Ghana are encouraged air carrier operations. to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Ghana and obtain updated information on travel and security within Ghana. The U.S. CUSTOMS RESTRICTIONS: Visitors entering or Embassy is located on Ring Road East, P.O. Box departing Ghana with more than 5,000 dollars (US) 194, Accra, telephone (233)(21) 775-347 or 48, fax cash are required to declare the amount upon entry number (233)(21) 701-813. The Embassy maintains into Ghana. Currency exchange is available at most a home page on the Internet at banks and at licensed foreign exchange bureaus. http://usembassy.state.gov/accra/. Currency transactions with private citizens are illegal. The Government of Ghana also prohibits *** departing travelers from carrying more than 5000

8 Packing List, Ghana Study Tour Copies of important documents 12-28 May, 2004 Passport (keep one extra copy with you at all times) Ghana visa page from your passport BAGS (Pack light!) I-20 and US visa page from your passport (international students) 1 check-in bag, no more than 60 pounds, no more than 62” Yellow fever card (sum of three dimensions) Student card (or some photo id other than passport) In the bag, pack copy of flight itinerary with your home ATM card (Wachovia and SECU cards worked for us in address and phone number, and our contact in Ghana: Galaxy Ghana) Tours, Kwaku Passah (233)-21-401424/277-544644 IMMIGRATION ITEMS 1 carry-on bag, small enough to fit under seat Large enough for a waterbottle, notebook, camera, snacks, Passport with visa hat, sunscreen, and other essentials. I-20 endorsed by the OISSS (for international students) You can also carry a small purse, waistbag, or camera bag (a Latest Transcript (for international students) “personal item” as defined by airline) Yellow-fever card IMPORTANT PERSONAL ITEMS DONATED ITEMS Medication Some Ideas (these don’t necessarily need to fit in your one check-in 18 days of any medication & supplements (e.g. birth control, bag) inhaler, insulin, vitamins) Books or supplies for secondary schools Malaria Pills Educational Posters/Flyers (focus on environment or Travel Medical Kit: e.g. for allergy (allegra), diarrhea forestry) (immodium), fever, indigestion (tums/mylanta), pain (tylenol, ibuprofen), pepto-bismal (can inhibit pathogens from getting Shoes/clothes (items in good shape that you would through stomach wall), mole-skin (if concerned that your otherwise give to Goodwill/Salvation Army) boots might cause blisters), Dramamine or similar (if you get SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR IN-COUNTRY TRAVEL car sick), cream for sunburn, Anti-itch cream (for insect bites, Snacks (e.g. trail mix, crackers, candy/energy bar, energy heat rashes, etc.) drink mixes) Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat Wet towel/facial tissue for less than accommodating Insect repellant with DEET restrooms and dusty faces Padlocks for each bag, including backpack Camera (and film) Towel: thin towel for washing up (back-up) and a bandana Binoculars (preferably quick-dry) Watch with alarm Bed sheet (one sheet or sleep sack, back-up) Small umbrella Flash Light Extra pair of glasses or contact lenses Notepad & pens/pencils Entertainment (books, cards, etc.) Toiletries (tooth brush & paste, soap, deodorant, shaving equipt, Passport pouch or money belt (small bag for valuables nail clippers, shampoo & conditioner, moisturizer, sanitary that you wear under your clothes) pads/tampons, small pack of toilet paper/ tissue, etc.) Small Gift for your host family (has also been suggested that Detergent for washing clothes along the way (could share information on the US might be of interest - for example, among the group) photos of North Carolina, coloring book about the US, Ebony Clothing that dries quickly and is easy to hand wash, preferably magazine) cotton - FINANCIAL ITEMS Enough for 7 days in country (we will be able to wash cloth Cash: enough to last the air travel (e.g. to buy snacks during midway through trip) long layovers, make phonecalls) ♦ lots of cotton short sleeve shirts ♦ pants (e.g., khakis). Jeans not recommended because ATM card (you may want to bring a card that doubles as they take a long time to dry. credit card for use in airports and in case you would like to ♦ underwear, socks take the city tour of Amsterdam on May 28; note that credit card fraud is prevalent in Ghana and most places are not very at least one set of more formal clothes (e.g., polo shirt and well equipped to take international cards; you will need to neat slacks) withdraw enough funds in Ghana to pay for drinks, snacks, light-weight, long sleeve shirt souvenirs, and a couple meals) one heavier top (e.g., light sweat shirt, light cardigan sweater – mostly for plane trip) DON’T BRING shorts (and/or sundress) swimming gear The rest of your wallet … leave multiple credit cards, consumer loyalty cards, etc. at home sleepwear Valuable jewelry or objects of sentimental value Student id card Perfume/ scented cologne/ perfumed lotions (attracts bees Covered shoes for hiking (boots recommended) and insects) Sandals (tevas or some other sandals appropriate for Hair dryers or other electric items water) Dress shoes Plastic bags, ziploc (for dirty/wet items and protecting items from moisture) Inappropriate clothing (go for the neat and polite look) Water Bottle Clothing/accessories with military/camouflage prints (they are forbidden in Ghana) *** Raincoat 9 TRAVEL TIPS

Packing & Air Travel

- PACK LIGHT. Make sure everything fits in one big bag, one back pack and a purse/waist bag. - If you plan to shop, leave space, plan to donate some of your clothes away, or carry an extra bag in your luggage (you can check two bags on the return trip). - Put things that can leak or melt (shampoos, moisturizers, deodorant) in plastic bags/ziploc. - Make sure your immigration items and a pen are easy to access. - Long haul flights make you dehydrated, so be sure to drink enough water/juice and keep a moisturizer handy (skin and lip balm). If you have sensitive eyes, consider eye drops. It’s a fine balance between dehydration and a trip to the restroom. Remember that alcohol doesn’t count. - Bring some toiletries with you during the flight, in case you feel like brushing your teeth or washing your face somewhere along the way. - Consider a neck pillow (and eye shades), to help you sleep on the plane - Anticipate your bags being delayed (or even lost) along the way: o Bring a set of clothing and toiletry in your carry-on sufficient to last 1-2 days until they have located your bags or until you have time to purchase more. o DO NOT leave original documents or other valuable items in the check-in bag. o Put ID tags on all your bags, which contains your US and Ghana contact information - Things to prepare for during security checks: o Belt buckles, metal barrettes, etc. can all set off the metal detectors. o Do not bring bladed objects (e.g. Swiss knife, scissors) in your carry-on bag. - Locking/unlocking your luggage o Do not lock your luggage in Raleigh (unless you think that your bag requires a lock to stay closed, in which case you will have to agree that they can break the lock if necessary for security search … rules on this vary by day and by airport) o Lock your luggage immediately when we reach Accra

Local Customs

- Left hand rule: it is rude to accept, give or eat with your left hand - It is polite to exchange greetings and shake hands when meeting/leaving. - Don’t show the “Thumbs up”: it is a very rude hand gesture - Be patient if people don’t understand your accent or if you don’t understand theirs. - Ask permission if you want to photograph someone, and do not photograph government installations (e.g. bridges, airports). Taking a picture of someone is like taking a part of them with you. Be careful: people may ask for a fee for you to take their photos. - 10-15% tip in good restaurants, otherwise it’s not necessary - It’s not polite to wear shorts except for sporting events (e.g. if you end up swimming or playing soccer) - If we have any formal meetings with traditional officials – i.e., chiefs or kings • Do not cross your legs when in formal meeting • Communication may be via a “linguist” rather than directly with the official • Wear polite clothing (sleeved shirt, long pants). - Do not hand out anything to the village people, aside from personal gifts to your host family. Gifts to any part of the village community (e.g. candy for the kids, school supplies) should be given to a village authority for proper distribution. Handing them out yourselves will not only spoil a delicate social hierarchy, but also creates unwanted attention. - Try to find a personal - and not too expensive - gift for your host family. We suggest not going above $20. Expensive gifts will stick out in the community. - During your homestay, try to blend in by doing what your host family does. For instance, if they fetch water, offer to help. However, keep your health and safety in mind. - Always try to show the best side of your culture, so they can learn from us as much as we learn from them. 10 Food & Health

- If you have strict dietary requirements, be prepared. Bring something from home that is non- perishable and easy to carry (e.g. cup noodles/soup, dried fruits & nuts), and look out for opportunities to stock up during the trip. - Be careful of what you eat! From personal experience, it takes about two weeks for the body (at least mine) to adjust to new sets of ingested germs, which is why Traveler’s Diarrhea is so common. Avoid un- cooked foods, or unpackaged foods that were not freshly prepared (do not arrive piping hot). Choose fruits that you can peel, and avoid raw ingredients in your food. Prefer bottled/canned drinks and avoid ice (it may have been treated/come from unclean conditions). - Be aware of sources of contamination o Food preparer o Water o Utensils & cutlery - Risky foods: o Be cautious with traditionally prepared foods like Banku (fermented corn meal) & Fufu (cassava cake) that may have changed hands too often. (We will have opportunities to try traditional foods where we know that they are freshly and carefully prepared.) o Food from street vendors - Be careful of animal bites/scratches, including those from domesticated animals. Stay away from stray dogs or cats. - Take your malaria medicine before, during and after the trip as prescribed. Malaria can appear months after you are initially infected, and may be misdiagnosed in the US. - Always try to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes. Make sure to apply insect repellant to any exposed body part, including when you get ready to go to sleep. - It will be HOT. Wear hats, long pants, and sunscreen. - Brush your teeth with bottled water, and don’t swallow water when you shower or swim - Beers come in much larger bottles, so don’t drink the whole bottle of beer at one sitting.

Safety

- Don’t ever walk alone. Stick with the group during group activities, and bring a buddy when/if there are opportunities to go sight seeing separately from the group. - Carry a map or the complete address of the place you stay whenever you venture out - Do not leave your belongings unattended at any time - Lock your bags that you leave in your room. - Be wary of bag snatchers and pick pockets. • Put your wallet where it is difficult for someone else to access (i.e. not in your clothing pockets or the outer pockets of your bag). Wallets are often bulky and easy to pick, so it may be better to go without them. • If you walk along the street, do not put your bag on the street side. If you are walking with someone else, put your bags in between each other. • When you are in a large crowd (e.g. market, city), pay attention to your surroundings and belongings. - Do not leave the money changer without counting your money

***

11 History of Ghana By Jamie Schuler

Present day Ghana has been inhabited since ca. 10,000 B.C. The country is named after the ancient empire of Ghana, which was located 500 mi north. Pulses of immigrants have come largely from the north and east during the 11th century. Most of present day population are descendants of these migrant groups, not from the original inhabitants. Trade influenced the development and movement of early Akan states into the forested areas of southern modern day Ghana. This movement was encouraged by the introduction of new crops like sorghum, cassava, and bananas. The Ashanti (or Asante), a matrilineal Akan tribe, are one of the major ethic groups in Ghana. They expanded their territories during the 17th century forming an empire that encapsulated much of central portion of the country, centered on the city Kumasi. With such a strong presence along major trade routes, the Ashanti flourished by trading with Muslims to the north and the Europeans to the coast. Europeans began arriving during the 15th century. The Portuguese landed in 1471 to trade gold, ivory and other riches. When the Portuguese came to Ghana, they found so much gold that they named the area the Gold Coast, a name that remained until the 1957. They built their 1st trading post in 1482, Elmina Castle, to protect their interests against other Europeans countries and hostile Africans. The Portuguese retained their foothold in Ghana until the Dutch captured Elmina in 1642. Other European competitors such as the English, Danes, and Swedes also established forts (Fig.1). The Dutch withdrew in 1642, while the Danes remained until 1850. The English established themselves in Ghana by 1631. Following the withdrawal of the Dutch, the British were the dominant power in Ghana. With the establishment of plantations in the Americas during the 1500s, the slaves soon displaced gold as the principal export from the region. The slave trade, although intensified during the European occupation, was already well-established. Early slave trading among African societies usually involved men and women captured during warfare. In fact, some argue that certain kingdoms (e.g. Ashanti) actively engaged other territories to secure additional slaves to be sold to Muslim and Europeans traders. The slave trade in Western Africa grew steadily from 1500 into the 18th century. It is estimated that 6.3 million African slaves were sold to the Americas, most from 1701 to th 1810. By the end of the 18 century, Denmark, Sweden, and Location of castles in Ghana. the Netherlands stopped dealing in slavery. The importation of slaves was abolished in the U.S. in 1807, and the international slave trade ended by 1860s. Ghana was formally established as a British colony in 1874, although it was essentially under British control much earlier. Early movements beginning in 1947 prompted the British in 1951 to develop a constitution giving Ghanaians some power on the Executive council and an assembly. Ghana still remained under colonial rule until 6 March 1957 when they declared independence and named Dr. Kwame Nkrumah their 1st prime minister. A new constitution was approved in 1960 creating the Republic of Ghana with Nkrumah the president. During his leadership, individual freedoms were greatly restricted, and many opposing politicians were jailed. His government was overthrown in a military coup in 1966. Since 1966, there have been 7 major regime changes. The new republic was headed by PM Busia and the Progress Party. Under their tenure large numbers of foreigners were exported to temper unemployment. Ghana’s economy under Busia faltered which led to another military coup in 1972 by the National Redemption Council (NRC) under Acheampong. The NRC sought to create a military government to improve the efficiency in government. Their inability to reverse poor economic conditions ultimately led to another power change. In 1978, Gen. Akuffo and other officers forced the resignation of Acheampong. In another revolt in 1979, and weeks before new constitutional elections were held, Jerry John Rawlings and other junior officers staged a coup that replaced the gov’t and executed many of the former political officials. The new party, the armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), allowed elections to take place. The tenure of Limann, inaugurated in 1979, was short-lived. Following several unpopular fiscal policies, another coup led by Rawlings displaced Limann. Rawlings served as President from 1993 until 2001. Although the Rawlings’ era was shadowed by complaints of civil rights violations, Ghana emerged from economic turmoil and is now one of the more prosperous African nations. New elections were held in 2000 after Rawlings stepped down after 2 terms in office. The current president is John Kufour. *** 12 Overview of Ghana’s Culture: Religion, Language, Festivals and Education By Jin Huang

Religion: Ghana has 60% Christian, 15% Muslim, Education: 25% traditional African religions. Religious tolerance Primary and secondary education is free and in Ghana is very high. The major Christian compulsory in Ghana between the ages of 6 and 14. In celebrations of Christmas and Easter are recognized 1996, 76 percent of primary school-aged children were as national holidays. In the past, vacation periods enrolled in school. Secondary schools enrolled just 31 have been planned around these occasions, thus percent of the appropriately aged children. Vocational permitting both Christians and others living away and teacher-training institutions had 38,000 students. from home to visit friends and family in the rural Higher education is provided by the University of areas. Ghana (1948), in Legon (near Accra); the University of The Muslim population located chiefly in the Science and Technology (1951), in Kumasi; the northern part of the country. Ramadan, the Islamic University of Cape Coast (1962); and the University for month of fasting, is observed by Muslims across the Development Studies (1992), in Tamale. Total country. Important traditional occasions are university enrollment was about 9,600 in the early celebrated by the respective ethnic groups. These 1990s. festivals include the Adae, which occur fortnightly, and the annual Odwira festivals of the Akan. On Festivals of Ghana these sacred occasions, the Akan ancestors are One of the most attractive aspects of the venerated. Ghanaian culture is the colorful traditional festivals and durbars, which are held yearly in all parts of the Language country. These festivals reveal some common features English is the official language of Ghana and beliefs of the society. Through the festivals, the and is universally used in schools in addition to 9 people remember their ancestors and ask for their other local languages. The most widely spoken protection and purify the whole state so that people local languages are Ga, agbani, Akan, Fanta, Ewe can enter the New Year with confidence and hope. and Twi. Below are some major festivals.

DIPO (Puberty Rites held in April) A puberty festival to initiate young girls into womanhood with a parade in attire close to nudity. Held in Krobo land, 50 miles east of Accra ABOAKYIR (Deer hunting held in May) A hunting expedition by two Asafo groups to catch live antelope. The first group to present its catch to the Chief at a colorful durbar is declared winner and is highly regarded for bravery. Held in Winneba, 17 miles west of Accra. BAKATUE (Fish Harvesting held in July) A royal procession of chiefs and stool holders riding in palanquins through principal streets to a sacred shrine where chiefs pour libation and sprinkle sacred food. Pouring of mashed yam and eggs into the Bake (lagoon), followed by scooping with a net, after which permission is given to fishermen to open the fishing season, after a ban. Festival culminates in a regatta. Edina/Elmina, 99 miles west of Accra. FETU AFAHYE (Harvest commemorating first contact with whites held in Aug./Sep.) A colorful procession of chiefs, amid drumming, dancing and firing of musketry. There is a uniqueness in the attire. Sacrifice of a cow to the seventy-seven (77) gods of Oguaa. Held at Cape Coast (Oguaa), 90 miles west of Accra. HOMOWO (Harvest/Thanksgiving held in August/September) Ceremonies for this festival include a procession of chiefs through principal streets with all twins in the area dressed purposely for the occasion. All this is done amidst the sprinkling of festive food kpokpoi to the gods and ancestors of the state. Accra/Ga Traditional Area. DAMBA Originally linked with the birth of Mohammed, the Prophet of Allah. This festival has assumed a traditional character a two-day festival full of pageantry, showmanship and horse riding. Held in Tamale/Yendi, 425 miles north of Accra. in September/October. FIOK (War festival): A war festival to re-enact ancient historic exploits of the Busa people. There is a durbar, as well as drumming, dancing, and thanksgiving to the gods. Sandema. December.

13 Customs, Colors and the Music of Ghana By Andrea Wade

Ghana is a diverse nation with a population of more than 18 million people. While English is the primary means of communication, at least 52 major languages and hundreds of dialects exist among the 60 or more ethnic groups of this former British colony. Religions include Christian, Muslim, and Zetaheal, a traditional worship that combines teachings from the bible and the book of Koran. Much emphasis is placed on the family unit in Ghana and elders are treated with dignity and respect. Customs vary among the different societies but traditional dance and music, as well as the worship of deities, are common in celebrations and religious ceremonies. Some of the more distinctive ethnic groups of Ghana include the Ewe people in the east, the Dagomba people from the north, the Guan people from the northwest, the Ga and Adangbe peoples of the south and the Akan people who reside in south-central Ghana.

The Akan are the largest ethnic group in Ghana and include the Ashanti, one of a handful of matrilineal societies in West Africa. They are known for their specialized crafts that include metallurgy, pottery, weaving, woodcarving, and textiles. With the exception of pottery, the Ashanti men are primarily responsible for all craft-making including the traditional kente cloth. Kente is a hand-woven cloth with bright, multi-colored patterns and designs that symbolize tribal history, philosophy, religion, and political beliefs. Four-inch strips of material are woven on a loom and the strips are sewn together into a larger cloth. There are numerous patterns of kente and each pattern carries a distinct name to honor a virtue, deed, or person. The Kyeretwie is a blend of black vertical warp stripes that represent the black spots of a leopard’s fur. It was named for an episode during the reign of King Dua when the king tested the courage of his warriors by ordering them to capture a leopard. The cloth symbolizes the qualities of leadership and courage needed to perform this deed. Another popular pattern, Toku Kra Toma, is named for a Queen mother who was killed in battle and was viewed as a courageous warrior. The name means “Toku’s soul cloth” and the cloth symbolize self- sacrifice, leadership, and courage. The Akan people believe that the basis of society is the extended family so the Abusua Ye Dom is a cloth of many variations and background colors designed to symbolize the value of family unity and strong family bonds. Formerly the cloth of kings, today Kente is worn in the southern half of the country for religious ceremonies and important celebrations.

Highlife is a well-known music style that marks the rituals and tribal celebrations of Ghana. Two versions of the popular music developed during the 1920’s as local musicians began to mix Latin rhythms with European instruments. The more elite musicians could afford orchestra instruments and played at clubs and society parties. The more rural musicians performed a version of highlife on the string guitar, known as palm-wine. With a mix of several musical styles including jazz and rock, by the 1950’s highlife became the musical trademark of Ghana. Highlife music has evolved over the years with the introduction of the electric guitar and computer-generated dance rhythms but today, still remains widely popular throughout the continent. ***

References: www.ghana.com www.nmafa.si.edu www.sciencedaily.com

14 Food in Ghana By Jin Huang

Soups are the primary component in Ghanaian cuisine and are eaten with fufu (either pounded plaintain and cassava or yam), kokonte (cassava meal cooked into a paste), banku (fermented corn dough), boiled yam, rice, bread, plantain, or cassava. The most common soups are light soup, palm nut soup, and groundnut (peanut) soup. Another staple meal is Fufu, which consists of cassava, yam, or plantain that has been cooked, pureed, and mashed into a ball. Fufu is a ubiquitous and much-loved staple throughout most of West Africa. It can be topped with a fiery sauce or served as the bland accompaniment to a main dish. Fufu is traditionally made with cassava, but it can be prepared with everything from rice or yams, to instant mashed potatoes. Fufu is usually eaten with soup, usually palm nut soup. A popular dessert is fried plantain seasoned with chilli pepper and ginger. This is usually washed down with a refreshing non-alcoholic drink made of corn called askenkee. One of the more common foods served on ceremonial occasions in Ghana is oto. It is used as an initiation meal prior to the events of the day. Oto is always accompanied by hard-boiled egs. For official ceremonial purposes, oto is prepared without onions or tomatoes.

Ghana's most famous 'food', of course, is cocoa. It is one of the country's major exports and is used to make chocolate. Ghana is famed for the high quality cocoa it produces; cocoa is the country’s second largest export. The cocoa beans are used to make chocolate, either in Ghana, or in other countries such as the UK. One of the UK’s leading chocolate manufacturers, Cadbury’s, uses over 50,000 tonnes of cocoa beans every year to make chocolate. In Africa, cocoa is grown almost entirely on smallholdings. To flourish, cocoa trees need to be shaded, especially in the early stages of growth. Young cocoa trees are grown from seeds planted in special nurseries before being transferred to the prepared growing areas. When the trees are three to four years old, they start to bear fruit. These large pods are green when young, but change to a golden-yellow when ripe. Once picked, the pods are broken open and the beans, formed on a stem and covered in sweet, creamy oil, are scooped out. The seeds are left to ferment and then to dry in the sun. During this process, the original pale creamy colour turns dark brown. It is then ready to manufacture into cocoa butter or chocolate. Nothing goes to waste from the cocoa plant. The cocoa husk is used for fertilizer, and also as the ingredient of specialist soap. Cocoa shell is used for garden mulch to control weeds and repel slugs.

***

15

Curious Coffins of Ghana By Stibniati Atmadja

Fantasy coffins are meticulously detailed coffins, modeled after objects of significance to the deceased. They are an important aspect of the burial ritual practiced by the Ga and other coastal Ghana communities. The cost of commissioning one depends on materials, design, and length of advanced notice. They vary considerably in size and in the amount of room for the deceased whose lives they celebrate. Commissioning a coffin also takes time. Families can order in advance and store the coffin until it is needed. Alternatively, they can also store the dead in the morgue while waiting for the coffin to finish, which can take up to three weeks. Ghanaian people have not traditionally buried their dead in coffins. The common practice was to wrap the body of the deceased in cloth. Figural coffins are fashioned by carpenters using multiple pieces of wood nailed and glued together. Traditional African carvers, on the other hand, create pieces from a single piece of wood. Ghanaian funerals are elaborate and expensive affairs, often lasting several days. While the purchase of a fancy coffin can easily exceed the annual per capita income in Ghana, the cost is shared by the whole family. An additional major expense includes the purchase of food and drink for the guests, performers, and attendants. As part of the funeral celebration, the coffin is carried through the town on the shoulders of male relatives. These coffins are fairly recent phenomenon dating back in the mid-70s. Legend has it that the uncle of Kane Kwei, and excellent fisherman, felt that his final day was approaching. He asked Kane Kwei (1927-1992), a carpenter, to bury him in a coffin modeled after his fishing boat. On funeral day, the coffin was escorted through the whole city under big applause. Since then, the more prosperous families carry their deceased loved ones in coffins in the forms that are relevant to the way they have lived. Kane Kwei's workshop has manufactured hundreds of coffins every year for the Ga community, the dominant ethnic group in the region surrounding the capital, Accra. These coffins glorify an ancestor by representing their earthly success. The form chosen to represent the dead is full of symbolism. If you spent your life, working as a fisherman, you can get buried in a seaworthy 2 m boat model (including crew). People who only dreamt of having an own car can be buried in a wooden Mercedes-Benz, which is the highest African symbol for wealth and esteem. A chicken signifies the death of the mother of a big family. The coffins come in the most fantastic forms, color and workmanship. They are typically in the shapes of birds, fish, limousines and airplanes. The hard work and care for detail put into the making of a coffin is usually seen only during the funeral procession, after which it will be buried forever. It has received international attention, and is now considered a collectors item for private individuals and art galleries around the world. Now, you can view these coffins in various exhibits in the US.

***

16 Natural Resources: Background www.fao.org/forestry/site/18308/en/gha

The Republic of Ghana is well-forested with around 39 percent of forest cover, and a further 37 percent of woodland. Ghana can be divided into two broad ecological zones. Tropical high forest covers much of the southern third of the country, with areas of scrub and grassland near the coast and around the Volta river, and mangrove vegetation around lagoons. A savannah zone blankets the inland two-thirds of the country. The high forest can be separated into rainforest in the most southwestern part of the country, characterised by a Cynometra-Lophira-Tarretia spp. association; and moist semi-deciduous forests containing Triplochiton scleroxylon and Celtis spp.. Ghana has a modest area of mainly Teak (Tectona grandis) plantations. Ghana´s network of protected areas encompasses around 2 percent of the forest area. The premier forest reserve is Kakum National Park, a 360 square kilometre rainforest park.

Land area Forest Cover 2000 Forest Cover Change 1990-2000 Distribution of land cover/use % (1996)

´000 ha ´000 ha ´000 ha/year %/year Forest Other Wooded Land Other land Ghana 22,754 6,335 -120 -1.72 27.8 .0 70.8 Africa 3,090,228 649,866 -5,264 -.78 21.0 15.5 61.6 World 13,139,618 3,869,453 -9,319 -.24 29.4 11.2 58.6

Products and trade Ghana produces moderate quantities of tropical hardwood sawn timber and wood-based panels for the domestic market and for export. Exports of logs have been banned since 1995. Wood is an important source of fuel in Ghana. Fuelwood and charcoal meet 75 percent of the country’s fuel needs.

Important non-wood forest products in Ghana include bushmeat, building materials, wild fruits, nuts, medicinal plants (especially chewsticks).

Forest Products Trade of Forest Products

Production Year 1998 Imports Exports US $83,767,000 US $31,485,000 Roundwood Sawnwood (m³) Industrial Roundwood Wood-based panels (m³) Fuelwood and charcoal Wood pulp (MT) Paper and paperboard (MT) Web site FAO Forestry - part of World Agricultural Information Centre

***

17 Forest Policy By Jamie Schuler

Ghanaian natural resource policies were largely dictated by the economic conditions of the time. Uncontrolled harvesting led to a loss of half of Ghana’s forest cover by the 1950s. Timber resources were exploited in an effort to generate revenues to pay down the substantial national debt. Forestry had become the country’s 3rd largest export behind gold and cocoa. During the 1980s several large programs were initiated to modernize the industry, improve milling efficiency and increase the export of forest products, all of which has led to a supply shortage problems.

Since the establishment of forest reserves, much of the harvesting has taken place on non-reserve timberland. Tree harvesting concessions were often undervalued and illegal logging was rampant. Concessions often favored foreign industry shakeholders and local chiefs. Few incentives existed for farmers to manage trees since timber is the property of the chief who has authority over the land.

The Forest and Wildlife Policy of 1994, replacing the Forest Policy of 1948, was passed in an effort to revamp the forestry sector with the stated goal of “conservation and sustainable development of the nation’s forest and wildlife resources for maintenance of environmental quality and perpetual flow of optimum benefits to all segments of society”. This new policy setup a framework for the sound management forests and wildlife, for improved efficiency in resource utilization, for localized stakeholder participation in the management of the forest and wildlife (away from the central gov’t), and for increased research. The initiatives of the new Forest and Wildlife policy are being implemented through the Forestry Development Master Plan which has gained financial support for five areas: high forest resource management, savanna resource management, wildlife resource management, environmental management coordination, and biodiversity conservation.

Additionally, the export of unprocessed logs has been prohibited since 1995, as a value-adding strategy to boost the export value of timber. As part of Ghana’s attempts to reorganize its forestry sector, the government has pursued certifying its forests and forest products. As of 2003, no company/forests are certified, and it is unclear how certification will be implemented on non-reserve forestland.

***

18 Non-Renewable Resources By Emily MacFayden

Ghana has significant mineral deposits, as well as crude oil and natural gas reserves. Much of Ghana's natural resources, as well as its industry and commerce, are located in the Western, Central, Ashanti and Accra regions. Ghana’s industrial sector includes aluminum smelting, sawmills, timber and agricultural processing plants, oil refining and mining. The government also encourages development of value-added agro-industries and textiles.

Mineral Resources

Mining accounts for around 6% of the GDP: ƒ Gold dominates the mining sector and is one of Ghana's two most important sources of foreign exchange. The country has vast gold reserves, which lie in the Ashanti region. ƒ Diamond mining, which peaked in 1990 at 1.4 million carats, remains strong today. This sector has a history of corruption, smuggling and poor management. Illegal mining is extensive and supports a thriving parallel market. ƒ Manganese mines make Ghana one of the world's largest exporters of this mineral. ƒ Aluminum ore (bauxite) is also mined in Ghana and exported.

Petroleum Resources

Ghana, along with Nigeria, Benin and Togo, is involved in the ongoing West Africa Gas Pipeline Project, which is designed to transport gas from Nigeria to these countries. Ghana is proposing to extend this pipeline to neighboring Côte d’Ivoire.

Impacts On Water Resources

Lake Volta Dam, which supplies Ghana’s main power station, supplies 99% of Ghana’s electricity. The industrial sector consumes 13% of this power. This power supply is highly vulnerable to drought. In 1998, the country experienced a full-scale electricity crisis due to low water levels at the dam. Due to this crisis, and to increasing electricity demands from the mining industry, Ghana is seeking alternative sources of electricity. Additional lakes and rivers offer opportunities for more hydroelectric power plants. *** References Institute for Security Studies – http://www.iss.co.za/AF/profiles/Ghana/NatRes.html Pipeline figure - http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/wagp.html 19 Bush Meat: Hunting, Trade and Traditions By: Stibniati Atmadja

In Africa, forest is often referred to as 'the bush', thus wildlife and the meat derived from it is referred to as 'bushmeat'. This term applies to all wildlife species used for meat, including: elephant; primates; forest antelope (duikers); crocodile; porcupine; bush pig; cane rat/grasscutters; etc. However, each country has its owner species preferences. In Ghana, there are eleven (11) species that are preferred as bushmeat. The most preferred species by far is the Grasscutter (Thryonomis swinderamus), which is a type of rodent. (Ntiamoa-Baidu, 1997). It is the most sought after Bushmeat in the restaurants and chop bars (food vendor) throughout the country, and the most abundant in the markets. Maxwell's duiker (Cephalophus maxwellii) follows next in the list.Of all of the 11 preferred species, 10 are farm pests, eating maize, cassava and cocoyam. Together, they make up 80% of all the bushmeat sold in the markets and restaurants. Note that primates were not favored for human consumption, because traditionally people have not preferred them. Ntiamoa-Baidu (1998, cited in Public Agenda, 2002) estimated that the bushmeat trade in Ghana is worth about $350 million. This is a considerable amount, considering that cocoa, Ghana's most prominent export commodity, generates $535 million (World Bank, 2003). Because of the grasscutter's prominence as the most preferred and marketed bushmeat species, it is an important economic commodity. Note that this trade is not accounted in Ghana's national accounts. Grasscutter/Cane Rat The bushmeat trade has evolved into an intricate network of hunters, wholesalers (queen mothers, middlemen), retailers (restaurant, chop bars) and consumers. Hunters kill the animals and either transport them long distances to the market centers, or sell to queen mothers who come to the hunters (farm gate purchase) to buy the bulk of bushmeat killed. Queen mothers in turn sell the meat to retailers in the state in which they bought them. These retailers are almost exclusively restaurants/chop bar operators, who process the bushmeat for sale to consumers. Bushmeat dealers in Ghana received bushmeat from all over Ghana. Bushmeat is sent to major markets either fresh or smoked. Some are used for medicinal purposes, and are cut into various parts (bones, skull, skin, hair, tails, jaws, intestines, and limbs) and dried. Processing and marketing vary from one area to the next. The domestic standards for meat hygiene do not seem to apply for bushmeat. It is common for animals killed on night hunting trips to be kept till day break before they are sold. Animals caught in traps may stay in the traps for up to three days if trappers do not visit their traps regularly. Sometimes such carcasses are almost beginning to decompose, but will be collected and sold either as 'fresh' meat or smoked for sale. There are six main methods for hunting, listed in the order of the most to least common: guns, poison, fire, dogs, clubs, traps. Only guns and traps are legally approved by law. Ghana has strict laws on weapons possession, but guns for hunting accounts for 60% of the bushmeat supply in the Ghanaian markets. Molade (2002) noted that most urban professional hunters use rifles and other automatic weapons. Currently, 12 gauge shot guns as well as locally made and imported rifles are commonly used. The use of chemicals is illegal under Ghana's Wildlife Conservation Regulation. Chemical hunting accounts for ± 32% of bushmeat supplied in the Ghanaian markets. This method is particularly dangerous because it poses a health hazard to the bushmeat consumer. Some of the chemicals used for hunting bushmeat are lethal for humans. Ghana observes hunting seasons from 1st August to 1st December to allow wild animals to breed without hunting pressure. It originated from the traditional practice of avoiding hunting during the rainy season, which is an important breeding and nursing time for many wildlife species. This period is known as the Closed Season. However, surveys reveal that all animals, endangered or not, are hunted and marketed publicly throughout the year. Most hunters depend on the bushmeat trade as their full-time employment, due to lack of alternative income sources. Thus, closed season is perceived as a threat against their livelihood. The idea of closed season on hunting had its origin from the traditional knowledge of the reproduction of wild animals, especially in the forest zone of Ghana. Thus, it protects some species better than others. Large-bodied mammals of the forest zones benefit most of the closed season policy, while wild pigs and primates of the savanna zone are not. This is because most of them breed soon after the closed season. Therefore, there is urgent need for research to modify the closed season so it is effective for more species and wildlife zones. *** World Bank, 2003. "Ghana at a Glance". http://www.worldbank.org/data/countrydata/aag/gha_aag.pdf Ntiamoa - Baidu, Y. 1997. "FAO Conservation Guide of United Nations" http://www.fao.org/docrep/W7540E/w7540e06.htm. Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y. (1998): Sustainable Use of Bushmeat Vol.6: Wildlife Developmment Plan: 1998-2003. Wildlife Dept, Accra. Public Agenda (Accra), 2002. Ghana: The Bushmeat Crisis in Forest www.forests.org/articles/reader.asp?linkid=17460

20 Wildlife in the Republic of Ghana

By Malin Birgersson

Wildlife Ghana offers great opportunities for game viewing, with a wide variety of large mammals and moneys present. Here are some examples of what species can be found in Ghana: • Predators: lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, otters. • Primates: Common chimpanzee, anubis or olive baboon, green monkey, patas or red monkey, western or Geoffery’s black and white colobus, potto. • Antelope: roan antelope, Defassa waterbuch, kob, bongocommon or grey duiker • Other mammals: African elephant, hippopotamus, West African manatee, African buffalo, warthog, unstriped squirrel. Ghana lacks the vast conservation areas and huge herds of wildlife, which can be found in south and east Africa. Typical African mammals such as rhino, zebra, wildebeest and gorilla do not occur in Ghana. Many large mammals have gone extinct or are vulnerable.1

Recent Extinction The Miss Wadron's red colobus was discovered in 1933. The last confirmed sighting of a Miss Waldron's red colobus was more than 20 years ago in the rain forest of Ghana. It was listed as endangered in 1988. It was sensitive to habitat alteration and scientists could not replicate its diet and were not successful in breed it in captivity. The main reasons to its extinction were hunting and loss of habitat, due to logging, road building and farming.2 This is the first primate that have gone extinct in 200 years. However, new evidence in 2004 suggest that the monkey might still be alive and live in limited to the remote southeastern corner of Ivory Coast.3

Threatened Species The following list includes all mammals that occur in Ghana and are rated as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable in the 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals. An asterisk (*) indicates a change from the 1996 Red List to the 2000 Red List.

Critically Endangered : Groove-toothed Forest Mouse. Endangered : African Elephant, Chimpanzee, *Diana Monkey (Rated Vulnerable in the 1996 Red List.), *Red Colobus. (Rated Lower Risk: Near Threatened in the 1996 Red List.), Wild Dog. Vulnerable : Buettikofer's Epauletted Fruit Bat, Fat Mouse Species, Lion, Pied Bat, Red-fronted Gazelle, *Spotted-necked Otter. (Not listed in 1996.), West African Manatee, White- thighed Black-and-white Colobus, White-toothed Shrew Species.4

Wildlife Laws and Trade Wildlife laws have evolved and changed considerably, since Ghana’s independence in 1957. The foundation of Ghana’s wildlife laws is the Wild Animal Preservation Act 196 from 1961. In 1974 the Government approved the first wildlife policy. The policy developed wildlife conservation and preserved areas with wildlife. After it was reviewed (1994) the new policy covered both forest and wildlife conservation and management in the country. In 1999 the first National Land management policy came and it seeks to address some fundamental problems associated with the land management. Ghana is a signatory of a number of internationals conventions, such as African Convention, CITES*, Bonn–Migratory Species and RAMSAR*.5 The Wildlife Division is responsible for issuing licenses governing domestic and international trade in wildlife and wild animal parts. A permit is required before exporting any wildlife animal, dead or alive or as a trophy.5

CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, RAMSAR - Convention on Wetlands (1971) 1 Bradt travel guide; 2 Primates, http://primate-info.netfirms.com/extinct.shtml; 3 Ohio State University, http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-02/osu- nes020204.php ,4 Animal Info http://www.animalinfo.org/ , 5 Wildlife Divisions’ homepage, http://www.wildlife-ghana.org/

21

Protected Areas By Angela Hubs

Ghana’s Wildlife Division manages 15 protected areas covering approximately 5.66% of the country. Much of Ghana’s wildlife law has its roots in the Wild Animals Preservation Act passed in 1961. This was the first law passed concerning wildlife conservation by Ghana since its independence. January 1974 saw the approval of Ghana’s first wildlife policy which outlined the methods to be used for wildlife conservation and vastly expanded protected areas by mandating that permanent national parks and wildlife reserves be created. Protected areas in Ghana are classified into national parks, resource reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and strict nature reserves. Additionally there are two zoological gardens and five wetland areas that are also managed by the Wildlife Division. Below is information specific to a few of the protected areas we will be visiting.

Ankasa Conservation Area:

• Made up of the Nini-Suhien National Park (160 sq km) and Ankasa Resource Reserve (343 sq km) • Gazetted from the Ankasa River Forest Reserve which was protected beginning in 1934 • Re-designated and gazetted as a wildlife conservation area in 1976 • Considered biologically to be the most important protected area in Ghana • Contains one of the few untouched parcels of tropical rain forest left in Ghana • Highest plant diversity in the country. • Primary threat to conservation is poaching

Kakum conservation Area

• Made-up of the Kakum National Park (210 sq. km.) and the Assin Attandanso Resource Reserve (150 sq. km.) • The most recently gazetted protected area Kakum was established in 1992 • Previously managed as a forest reserve since 1925 • Hosts more visitors than any other protected area managed by the Wildlife Division • Has received several awards for sustainable tourism • Contains the only canopy walk in the country • Over 200 species of bird and 400 species of butterfly confirmed • Primary threat to conservation is poaching

*** Reference: http://www.wildlife-ghana.org

22 CHAPTER 11: COMBATING DEFORESTATION

Decision-Making: The principle decision-maker is the Minister of Lands and Forestry supported by the Forestry Commission and its divisions of Forestry, Wildlife and Timber Industry Development Division. Partnership is well developed to facilitate holistic decision-making among major stakeholders in the forestry sector including: other government Ministries; the District Assemblies; Timber Industry; forest industry labour; (Timber and woodworkers Union of the Trade Union Congress of Ghana); local communities and traditional chiefs; local NGOs (e.g. Green Earth Organization); and International NGOs (Friends of the Earth, Conservation International, World Vision etc.). A Forestry Development Master Plan (1996-2020) was launched to guide the implementation of the Forestry and Wildlife Policy. The Forestry Master Plan is being implemented now through a multi-donor assisted programme called the Natural Resources Management Programme (NRMP). Two legislative instruments for guiding the allocation of timber rights within reserves and outside reserves: - Timber Resources Management Act (Act 547) in 1997, Timber Resources Management Regulations (L.I. 1649) in 1998, Timber Utilization owners are required to submit reforestation plans for the TUC area and re-planting at the rate of 1km2 for each 10km2 exploited. The Ghana Forestry Commission under Act 571 in 1999 has been reestablished to bring under the Commission the major public agencies in forestry and wildlife. The Ministry of Lands and Forestry in 1997 started the development of a Forest Management Certification System for Ghana and a comprehensive computerized system for log tracking with assistance from EU and the Government of Netherlands. In 2000, pilot testing of Principles Criteria and Indicators was undertaken. The Ghana Standards Board has formulated, field-tested and more or less finalized for adoption the forest standards for SFM and Forest Certification for the country.

Programmes and Projects: A National Forest and Wildlife Policy Statement was adopted in 1994 and aims at the management and enhancement of the permanent forest and wildlife estates for preservation of vital soil and water resources, conservation of biodiversity and the environment. It is a three-phased 10 year investment programme launched in September 1999 and has four components: High Forest Resource Management; Savannah Resource Management; Wildlife Resource Management; and Biodiversity Conservation in the high forest zone. There is an on-going ITTO project in participatory Tropical Forest Development by women in Indigenous communities since 1999.

Status: The result to date from the NRMP include: improvement in the policy and regulatory environment for high forest management and timber industry development; enhanced Community Involvement in the management of forest, wildlife and savannah woodland resources and improved benefit flow to communities; and enhancement of conservation of globally significant biodiversity in forest reserves and national parks.

Capacity-Building, Education, Training and Awareness-Raising: Education and capacity building is engaging a wide spectrum of local institutions, and sectors, forest industry NGOs, decentralized district assemblies to address the concepts and issues embodied under their new roles as development partners. Responsibilities are being transferred to local district assemblies, local communities and empowerment of marginalized groups, but capacity at the local level to plan and implement SFM practices is a major concern. Public education is therefore being intensified to sensitize the public on forestry and wildlife issues to increase effective private sector participation in forest and wildlife management including the heritage of coastal wetlands. The Forestry Commission has been restructured to improve its methodologies for monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects in the forestry sector. The organizational structure of the Wildlife Division has been revamped into three operational departments; Wildlife-Based Enterprise, Operational Department and Human Resources Department. Up- grading of priority skill competencies for forest industry workers has been commissioned since 1995 at the Wood Industries Training Centre at Akyawkrom, Ashanti. There also exist upgrading skills and human

23 resources development for the sector in kiln-drying and other disciplines to meet the challenges of global competition, and value-addition in the wood processing industry.

Information: There is dearth of minimum information/data on forest resources for rational management decision making; most of our forests continue to be managed in the absence of such vital data as the levels of annual allowable cut (AAC) to match yields of all kinds of forest products into the future. Establishment is underway of an electronic data bank at the Forestry Commission, incorporating all other management information systems with three key divisions of the Commission. The two main tasks facing the Forestry Commission are to secure and improve existing natural forests. The second task is to rehabilitate the degraded forest-lands and thereby increase the area under forest plantation. The President of Ghana launched the National Plantation Development Programme in September 2001 and aims at planting 20,00 ha. per year. The new plantings will incorporate Agroforestry to improve food security and also generate rural employment.

Research and Technologies: Ghana is part of the Forestry Research networks for Sub-Sahara Africa (FORNESSA) for information exchange and capacity-building. Ghana is also a focal point for on-going Forestry Outlook Study for Africa (FOSA), which is undertaking in-depth assessments of emerging issues, trends and development opportunities in the five sub-regions of Africa, FOSA is a joint initiative led by FAO, and AfDB with support from EU, Sweden, World Bank. There is need for updating mapping and remote sensing to determine condition of forest cover and land-use changes. Other researchable areas include bush-meat surveys and NWFPs survey as a whole.

Financing: There is need for committing more resources to strengthen our forestry institutions including training, and research institutions; and complementary support from the international cooperation programmes. Overreliance on outside loans is not sustainable and thus the need to mobilize domestic resources including: the establishment of a National Plantation Fund/Forest Fund in 2000 in Ghana and should remain the priority option to secure increase funding for forestry development; the establishment of National Plantation Scheme with assistance of AfDB for year 2001; and participating Donors in the Natural Resource Management Project include: IDA (of world bank Group), EU, AfDB, DFID, Technical Cooperation Agency (Germany) (GTZ), Royal Netherlands Embassy, JICA, Dammida, W.F. Programme, GEF.

Cooperation: Sub-Regional partnership within ATO is endeavoring to help implement the recommendations of the IFF/IPS on SFM. Sub-regional workshop on Genetic Resources in Dakar in 1998 recognized the high traditional and economic values to African forest diversity and genetic resources, and efforts to effectively conserve and utilize them. The African Forestry and Wildlife Commission (AFWC) is a unique forum for consultations, which has proved to be useful to strengthen cooperation and consensus on common issues in the African Region. Collaborative Forest Management is evolving in Ghana with responsibility for managing the forest being shared between: the public forest service and the local communities groups; and forest fringe communities, but the final responsibility rests with the public agency; the urgency is improved cooperation, coordination and partnership mechanisms to engage forest owners (traditional chiefs), private sector, local forest fringe communities, and ensuring equitable sharing of forest-related benefits in support of SFM. Cross-sectoral factors which are underlying census of deforestation and forest land degradation include: poverty, population growth, pollution, discriminatory trade practices, and unsustainable policies related to sectors such as Agriculture (slash and burn agric), energy (harvesting of fuelwood), and Mining in forested lands. Effective mitigation of deforestation rests with: improving technologies for food production e.g. use of Agroforestry system which can also assure sustained services and products of trees and forests; and particularly management of savannah woodlands for energy and other sustainable forest products such as plant medicine. Business-Government-NGO Partnership has improved as they are gradually forging a more trusting relationship.

***

24

The Volta Lake and the Akosombo Dam

By Malin Birgersson

water quality and quantity. It is estimated that the Background coastline of Togo and Benin are being eroded at a rate The Volta River flows through Ghana and of 10-15 meters a year because of the Akosombo Dam, discharges in the Gulf of Guinea. In the 1960’s Ghana which also has halted sediment supply to the sea.2 The Government decided to construct a dam primarily to VRA and the Forest Service Department has developed generate hydroelectricity.1 In April 1961, the Ghana programs to restore the tree cover around the Volta Parliament passed Volta River Development Act, which Lake to prevent erosion and possible sedimentation of established the Volta River Authority (VRA). The VRA is the lake. A study of the dam shows that the responsible to plan, execute and manage the downstream communities’ soils have become more development of the Volta River. It is also responsible for fertile as a result of the cessation of annual floods.3 controlling the Volta Lake behind the dam, for developing The most dramatic impact resulting from the the lake for fishing, transport and communications, and formation of the Volta dam is socio-economic, arising for promoting the health and welfare of the people in the out from the resettlement of about 80.000 people from lake area.1 Additionally it was envisioned that it would over 700 villages. Out of the people that had to move improve water transport, boost fishing, ensure enough be able to build the dam, 90% choose resettlement water for domestic and industrial use for irrigation. The over compensation in cash and relocating themselves. development of the Volta dam was seen as a means of The Keta Lagoon in the southern part of the Volta speeding up the overall economic development of the region has received less intake of freshwater, since the country. 3 dam was built. This has resulted in less fish and 80.000 The Volta River was dammed at the Akosombo people are directly adversely affected, since fishing is a gorge to create the dam. In 1964 the Akosombo Dam was common livelihood.3 Public health problem arise completed.2 The lake behind it, Volta Lake, is the world’s because several vector-borne diseases are associated largest artificial lake. The lake is dendritic in shape and with reservoir development and spread more easily. has an area of 8.730 square kilometer (3.371 square Especially water related diseases, such as mile). In 1980 an additional dam, Kpong, was completed schistosomiasis and malaria increased.5 to regulate the water below the Akosombo Dam. News Environmental Impacts, Social-Economic and In the 15th of March 2004, the BUSINESS & FINANCIAL Health TIMES published an article called “Akosombo Dam The construction of the Akosombo Dam had Drops Deep” regarding the problem with the dam both positive and negative social-economic and dropping 0.5m every day. The VRA began generating environmental impacts. No Environmental Impact more than 60 per cent of electricity from the thermal Assessment was conducted prior to the construction of power plant at Takoradi with Akosombo generating less the Volta dam, but the commission recommended a than 30 per cent. The deficit has been accelerated by comprehensive and environmental feasibility study to extreme dryness harmattan*, which suddenly hit the ensure an integrated program for the best interest of the northern part of the country.4 people, the environment and the economy. The Akosombo Dam has had a significant impact both on the * A dry, hot wind, prevailing on the Atlantic coast of Africa, in ecosystem and on the people living within the vicinity of December, January, and February, blowing from the interior or Sahara. the project. One major change has to do with the water 1Ghana homepage, History of Akosombo Dam, regime, that has led to drowning of vast vegetation and http://www.ghanaweb.com/, 2 The Akosombo Dam and its impact on riparian communities. Most of the changes that occur the longshore drft in the region, while building a dam are irreversible. Due to competition http://www.longroad.ac.uk/accreditation/subject_geography/docume nts_pdf/Coasts_Akosombo.pdf, 3 Kwasi Agyeman, 2001, Dams, of grasses many of the origin mangrove stands are today people and ecosystems, 4GhanaHomePage, General news, 5 Rivers, 2 unhealthy or even dying. The loss of vegetative cover Lakes and Oceans, results in a increase of sedimentation and decrease of http://commonwealth.ednet.ns.ca/africa/Ghana/Rivers/riversetc.html

***

25 Tree Species of Africa By Andrea Wade

African forests are recognized for their rich diversity of plant and animal life, the income they provide from timber production, and the livelihood they offer indigenous peoples. While agriculture practices have cleared much of the vegetation in Ghana, approximately 700 tree species exist in legally designated forest reserves managed by the Forest Department. Only a fraction are harvested for commercial use. Five main vegetation areas occur in Ghana including the savanna woodland forests, the moist deciduous forests, the moist evergreen forests, the coastal thickets and the mangrove forests. Mangrove forests exist along the coast and the estuary of the Volta River. The few tree species found in this region include Avicennia, Rhizophora, and Laguncularia. The coastal belt extends from the port of Takoradi eastward. The commercial tree species found in the western coastal shrub thicket include Ceiba pentandra, Antiaris Africana, Sterculia tragacantha, and Phoenix reclinata. In the eastern maritime region, agriculture has cleared much of the vegetation. Characteristic shrub species Baobab Tree found in this area include Allophylus warneckei, Elaeis drupifera, and Grevia carpinifolia. Moist evergreen forests are located in the southwest coastal area of Ghana where rainfall amounts are the highest. These forests are comprised of two regions, the semi-evergreen region, and the wet- evergreen region. Each area consists of three main layers. The uppermost layer, with straight boles and tall crowns, contains the largest number of commercial species. In the wet-evergreen forests, these species include Lophira alata, Tarrietia utilis, Khaya ivorensis, and Nauclea diderrichii. Other forest species in this stratum consist of Cynometra ananta, Dialium aubrevillei, and Parker bicolor. The less marketable trees of the middle storey include Berlinia spp., Strombosia pustulata, Cola chlamydantha, and Calpocalyx brevibracteatus. Shrub species are Alchornea spp., Heisteria spp., Bertiera racemosa, and Ranida hispida. In addition to the above-named commercial species of the wet-evergreen forests, the semi-evergreen forests in south-central Ghana contain Piptadeniastrum safricanum, Entandrophragma cylindricum, Entandrophragma angolense, and Chlorophora excelsa. The lower layers are comprised of Protomegabaria staphiana, Hymenostegia afzelii, Funtumia africana, and Cola chlamydantha. Moist tropical forests account for approximately 50% of the high tropical forest in Ghana. Common commercial tree species of the semi- deciduous moist forests include Piptadeniastrum africanum, Guarea cedrata, Khaya ivorensis, K. anthrotheca, Entandrophragma angolense, E. candollei, E. cyclindricum, E. utile, and Terminalia ivorensis. In the deciduous moist forest, Nesogordonia papaverifera, Antiaris Africana, Piptadeniastrum africanum, Entandrophragma angolense, E. cylindricum, E. utile, Khaya anthotheca, and K. grandifoliola are represented most often. Savanna woodlands are located in the northern region of Ghana and these areas are comprised of grasses with low, sparse tree and shrub areas. The southern region of woodlands contains many of the same species found in a deciduous forest. Going north, the most sought-after species are Celtis integrifolia, Khaya senegalensis, and Afzelia africana. Kapuk Tree (Ceiba pentandra)

*** References Pleydell, Geoffrey. 1994. The Tropical Timbers of Ghana. Timber Export Development Board, Takoradi, Ghana. www.fao.org www.earthtrends.wri.org

26

Mangroves By Emily MacFayden

Habitat Description “Mangrove forests are comprised of taxonomically diverse, salt-tolerant tree and other plant species which thrive in inter-tidal zones of sheltered tropical shores, ‘overwash’ islands, and estuaries. Mangrove trees have specially adapted aerial and salt-filtering roots and salt-excreting leaves that enable them to occupy the saline wetlands where other plant life cannot survive” (Mangrove Action Project). Mangroves occur primarily in humid and tropical climates and are heavily influenced by river floods and the tidal range. In Ghana and the western part of Nigeria, mangroves are associated with extensive lagoons, which become enclosed during the drier parts of the year, when freshwater flow from the mainland is low. Approximately 17,000 km2 of these wetland forests occur in the low nutrient, marine habitats along the coast of western and central Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Angola), with two-thirds of the total area located in Nigeria.

Biodiversity / Species Composition Western African mangroves have no endemic species; however, they support some endangered species, such as manatees, soft-skinned turtles and pygmy hippopotami (in the Niger Delta). These forests also provide nursery and feeding grounds for marine fishes. In addition, the mangroves of Ghana are especially important as migratory stopover habitat for wetland birds. The dominance of various mangrove tree species is determined by the substrate – whether it is comprised of sandy troughs or muddy hollows.

Current Status And Anticipated Threats Fragmentation itself does not greatly affect mangrove biodiversity, as mangroves are naturally fragmented, and are able to disperse over long distances. Of greater concern is the destruction of mangrove habitat, due to urbanization, industrialization, and agriculture. Timber and petroleum exploitation also impact mangrove habitat. An introduced species, Nypa fruticans, is encroaching on native mangrove genera (Rhizophora, Avicennia and Laguncularia) where chronic nutrient enrichment occurs.

Conservation And Preservation Efforts Some of Ghana’s mangrove forests are contained within existing protected areas. In addition, draft management recommendations have been prepared for Ghana’s coastal zone, including mangrove areas. In 1999, the Ghanaian Ministry of Lands and Forestry issued the National Land Policy, which recognizes wetlands as environmental conservation areas and prohibits:

ƒ physical draining of wetland water; ƒ draining of streams and water courses feeding the wetlands; ƒ human settlements and their related infrastructural developments in wetlands; ƒ disposal of solid waste and effluents in wetlands, and ƒ mining in wetlands.

***

References WWF – http://www.worldwildlife.org/wildworld/profiles/terrestrial/at/at1401_full.html Ramsar: The Convention on Wetlands – http://www.ramsar.org/wurc_policy_ghana.htm Mangrove Action Project – http://www.earthisland.org/map/mngec.htm

27

Timber & Wood Products Industry of Ghana By Amanda Rogers

Timber has recently been Ghana’s third leadin g export, accounting for 4.2% of the GDP in 1990 thanks to support from the World Bank which financed logging equipment. In 1993, the combined export of timber and wood products was valued at US$140 million. However, rapid deforestation resulted in the government banning the export of some species and placing high duties on other species. The government planned to phase out log and air dried exports entirely by 1994.

To replace this income, Ghana’s government desired to increase sales of wood products. The government determined that plywood, veneers, furniture and flooring could earn 2-6 times the price of an equivalent volume of logs. This desire lead to improvements in the processing sector of wood products which did result in raised export earnings. In the early 1990s, there were around 220 lumber processors. One problem that arose from the increase of wood products export was the high demand for kiln-dried products, which processors in Ghana did not use. The cheaper air-drying methods utilized by processors in Ghana resulted in warping over time.

Another major problem Ghana has faced in this industry is wide-spread corruption including smuggling, fraud, bribery and failure to pay royalties. The Ghanian government launched a large investigation into these activities in 1992.

The Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, established in 1963, is working to develop techniques of economically efficient regeneration and the most appropriate wood industries to utilize

Ghana’s forest resources. Significant contributions already include the use of exotic plantation species, production of improved planting materials and studies of suitability of local species for wood products. The institute also publishes the Ghana Journal of Forestry. ***

Sources

Forestry Research Institute of Ghana. History. Accessed 26 April 2004. http://www.forig.org/forig/history.html>

U.S. Library of Congress. Country Studies: Ghana. Accessed 26 April 2004.

28 Rapid Appraisal Methods By Subhrendu K. Pattanayak

Rapid appraisal methods are ‘quick and dirty’, low-cost methods for gathering information, that lie somewhere along the continuum of data collection options ranging from informal short field visits & casual conversations to census, surveys, or experiments. While most of us have been exposed to procedurally precise, highly structured, systematic surveys or experiments at some point in our lives – either as respondents, enumerators or designers, many of our activities on study tour, such as the one to Ghana, would fall into the category of ‘rapid appraisals’ (RA) even though we aren’t formally appraising specific issues.

These methods emerged in the 1970s in the field of social anthropology so that urban professionals and outsiders could learn about agricultural systems. The methods emphasize the importance and relevance of situational local knowledge, and of getting the big things broadly right rather than achieving spurious statistical accuracy. The methods utilize a style of listening research, and a creative combination of iterative methods and verification. The most well know verification strategy relies on “triangulation” of data from different sources, i.e. using two different methods to view and confirm the same information. As you can imagine, RA methods can quickly and cheaply generate a comprehensive picture of the situation at hand only if they are administered by highly trained and skilled professionals, who compensate for the speed and cost savings through a wealth of experience and knowledge. Some of the most common examples of rapid appraisals include: key informant interviews, focus groups, direct observations, community surveys or workshops, and mini-surveys. 1. Key informant interviews typically constitute talking to 15-25 knowledgeable and diverse experts from the study area. These interviews are semi-structured, qualitative in nature, and essentially in-depth discussions. 2. Focus groups comprise of discussion among 8 – 12 individuals, who constitute a homogeneous group, regarding issues and experiences of interest to the researcher. A moderator introduces the topic, facilitates and stimulates discussion, and avoids domination by a few. 3. Community interviews are similar to focus groups in purpose, except that they typically conducted at a public meeting and involve an extensive amount of interaction between the participants and the interviewers (often through Q & A). This type of group-wide data collection is sometimes better accomplished in a ‘workshop’ setting. 4. Direct observations essentially involve teams of observers recording what they see, hear and experience into a pre-specified detailed observation form. The observations could relate to objects, structures, processes, activities or even discussions. 5. Mini-surveys comprise of structured but short (1-2 page) questionnaire (usually including close-ended questions) that is administered to 25-75 individuals using non-probability sampling strategy. Figure X presents a brief summary of the uses, strengths, and limitations of these methods. The methods are often complemented (or even substituted) by one or more of the following: (a) review of secondary sources (including aerial photos, even brief aerial observation), (b) foot transects, (c) familiarization and participation in activities, (d) mapping and diagramming, (e) biographies, local histories and times, (f) ranking and scoring, (g) rapid report writing in the field.

The strengths of RA methodologies include the fact that they are (a) cheap, (b) quick, (c) flexible, and (d) contextually and evidentially rich. Their primary weaknesses are that they produce results are (a) unreliable or potentially invalid, (b) not generalizable to the large population, and (c) not sufficiently rigorous and credible for key decision-makers. Thus, they are best used in situations that require only: 1. qualitative, descriptive information 2. assessment of attitudes and motivations 3. interpretation of quantitative data from surveys and experiments 4. suggestions and recommendations 5. questions, hypotheses and approaches to be tested by surveys and experiments *** Additional readings Krishna Kumar. 1993. Rapid appraisal methods. World Bank. Washington, D.C.

29

Rapid Rural Appraisal By Amanda Rogers

Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) is an efficient and effective method (both in terms of time and cost) of gathering information, particularly in agricultural settings. RRA, which emerged in the 1970s, places emphasis on local knowledge and the “big picture,” instead of lengthy statistical analysis.

RRA is based on a number of findings. Formal or conventional ways of gathering information often do not result in timely, cost-effective and reliable information. In addition, brief and unstructured visits to local areas often result in biases. Furthermore, the quantity and quality of information gathered is often determined by attitudes and behavior of local people.

Techniques of RRA include: • Direct observation • Informal interviews • Mapping and diagramming • Local histories and case studies • Short questionnaires • Rapid report writing in the field

Characteristics of good RRA include: • Building rapport with all groups of local people. • Avoidance of placing local people in uncomfortable situations • Using local activities and events to make direct observations rather than staging activities. • Conversations which result in a 2-way exchange of information. • Selecting RRA techniques in a manner to suit local circumstances. • Checking the validity of information with a variety of sources.

Potential drawbacks of RRA include: • Viewed as a replacement for all other methods of study. • Time consuming (if done properly.) • Viewed as a shortcut and therefore rushed. • Disruptive to social routines. • Biased toward individuals who may appear to have knowledge or toward those that have the time or motivation to talk.

Sources: Jackson, W.J., and A. W. Ingles. Participatory Techniques for Community Forestry. AusAID, IUCN and WWF. 1998. International Institute for Sustainable Development. Rapid Rural Appraisal. Accessed 26 April 2004.

***

30 FSC Principles and Criteria FSC will also provide guidance to policy makers on these issues, including improving forest management legislation and policies. INTRODUCTION PRINCIPLE #1: COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND FSC It is widely accepted that forest resources and associated PRINCIPLES lands should be managed to meet the social, economic, ecological, Forest management shall respect all applicable laws of the country cultural and spiritual needs of present and future generations. in which they occur, and international treaties and agreements to Furthermore, growing public awareness of forest destruction and which the country is a signatory, and comply with all FSC Principles degradation has led consumers to demand that their purchases of and Criteria. wood and other forest products will not contribute to this destruction but rather help to secure forest resources for the future. In response 1.1 Forest management shall respect all national and local laws to these demands, certification and self-certification programs of and administrative requirements. wood products have proliferated in the marketplace. 1.2 All applicable and legally prescribed fees, royalties, taxes and The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international other charges shall be paid. body which accredits certification organizations in order to guarantee 1.3 In signatory countries, the provisions of all binding the authenticity of their claims. In all cases the process of certification international agreements such as CITES, ILO Conventions, will be initiated voluntarily by forest owners and managers who ITTA, and Convention on Biological Diversity, shall be request the services of a certification organization. The goal of FSC is respected. to promote environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and 1.4 Conflicts between laws, regulations and the FSC Principles and economically viable management of the world's forests, by Criteria shall be evaluated for the purposes of certification, on establishing a worldwide standard of recognized and respected a case by case basis, by the certifiers and the involved or Principles of Forest Stewardship. affected parties. The FSC's Principles and Criteria (P&C) apply to all tropical, 1.5 Forest management areas should be protected from illegal temperate and boreal forests, as addressed in Principle #9 and the harvesting, settlement and other unauthorized activities. accompanying glossary. Many of these P&C apply also to plantations 1.6 Forest managers shall demonstrate a long-term commitment and partially replanted forests. More detailed standards for these and to adhere to the FSC Principles and Criteria. other vegetation types may be prepared at national and local levels. The P&C are to be incorporated into the evaluation systems and PRINCIPLE #2: TENURE AND USE RIGHTS AND standards of all certification organizations seeking accreditation by RESPONSIBILITIES FSC. While the P&C are mainly designed for forests managed for the Long-term tenure and use rights to the land and forest resources production of wood products, they are also relevant, to varying shall be clearly defined, documented and legally established. degrees, to forests managed for non-timber products and other services. The P&C are a complete package to be considered as a 2.1 Clear evidence of long-term forest use rights to the land (e.g. whole, and their sequence does not represent an ordering of priority. land title, customary rights, or lease agreements) shall be This document shall be used in conjunction with the FSC's Statutes, demonstrated. Procedures for Accreditation and Guidelines for Certifiers. 2.2 Local communities with legal or customary tenure or use FSC and FSC-accredited certification organizations will not rights shall maintain control, to the extent necessary to insist on perfection in satisfying the P&C. However, major failures in protect their rights or resources, over forest operations unless any individual Principles will normally disqualify a candidate from they delegate control with free and informed consent to other certification, or will lead to decertification. These decisions will be agencies. taken by individual certifiers, and guided by the extent to which each 2.3 Appropriate mechanisms shall be employed to resolve Criterion is satisfied, and by the importance and consequences of disputes over tenure claims and use rights. The failures. Some flexibility will be allowed to cope with local circumstances and status of any outstanding disputes will be circumstances. explicitly considered in the certification evaluation. Disputes The scale and intensity of forest management operations, of substantial magnitude involving a significant number of the uniqueness of the affected resources, and the relative ecological interests will normally disqualify an operation from being fragility of the forest will be considered in all certification certified. assessments. Differences and difficulties of interpretation of the P&C will be addressed in national and local forest stewardship standards. PRINCIPLE #3: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' RIGHTS These standards are to be developed in each country or region The legal and customary rights of indigenous peoples to own, use involved, and will be evaluated for purposes of certification, by and manage their lands, territories, and resources shall be certifiers and other involved and affected parties on a case by case recognized and respected. basis. If necessary, FSC dispute resolution mechanisms may also be called upon during the course of assessment. More information and 3.1 Indigenous peoples shall control forest management on their guidance about the certification and accreditation process is included lands and territories unless they delegate control with free in the FSC Statutes, Accreditation Procedures, and Guidelines for and informed consent to other agencies. Certifiers. 3.2 Forest management shall not threaten or diminish, either The FSC P&C should be used in conjunction with national directly or indirectly, the resources or tenure rights of and international laws and regulations. FSC intends to complement, indigenous peoples. not supplant, other initiatives that support responsible forest 3.3 Sites of special cultural, ecological, economic or religious management worldwide. significance to indigenous peoples shall be clearly identified in The FSC will conduct educational activities to increase public cooperation with such peoples, and recognized and protected awareness of the importance of the following: by forest managers. *improving forest management; 3.4 Indigenous peoples shall be compensated for the application *incorporating the full costs of management and production into the of their traditional knowledge regarding the use of forest price of forest products; species or management systems in forest operations. This * promoting the highest and best use of forest resources; compensation shall be formally agreed upon with their free *reducing damage and waste; and and informed consent before forest operations commence. *avoiding over-consumption and over-harvesting.

31 PRINCIPLE #4: COMMUNITY RELATIONS AND WORKER'S a) Forest regeneration and succession. RIGHTS b) Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity. Forest management operations shall maintain or enhance the long- c) Natural cycles that affect the productivity of the forest term social and economic well-being of forest workers and local ecosystem. communities. 6.4 Representative samples of existing ecosystems within the landscape shall be protected in their natural state and 4.1 The communities within, or adjacent to, the forest management recorded on maps, appropriate to the scale and intensity of area should be given opportunities for employment, training, and operations and the uniqueness of the affected resources. other services. 6.5 Written guidelines shall be prepared and implemented to: 4.2 Forest management should meet or exceed all applicable laws control erosion; minimize forest damage during harvesting, and/or regulations covering health and safety of employees and road construction, and all other mechanical disturbances; and their families. protect water resources. 4.3 The rights of workers to organize and voluntarily negotiate with 6.6 Management systems shall promote the development and their employers shall be guaranteed as outlined in Conventions adoption of environmentally friendly non-chemical methods of 87 and 98 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). pest management and strive to avoid the use of chemical 4.4 Management planning and operations shall incorporate the pesticides. World Health Organization Type 1A and 1B and results of evaluations of social impact. Consultations shall be chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides; pesticides that are maintained with people and groups directly affected by persistent, toxic or whose derivatives remain biologically management operations. active and accumulate in the food chain beyond their 4.5 Appropriate mechanisms shall be employed for resolving intended use; as well as any pesticides banned by grievances and for providing fair compensation in the case of international agreement, shall be prohibited. If chemicals are loss or damage affecting the legal or customary rights, property, used, proper equipment and training shall be provided to resources, or livelihoods of local peoples. Measures shall be minimize health and environmental risks. taken to avoid such loss or damage. 6.7 Chemicals, containers, liquid and solid non-organic wastes including fuel and oil shall be disposed of in an PRINCIPLE # 5: BENEFITS FROM THE FOREST environmentally appropriate manner at off-site locations. Forest management operations shall encourage the efficient use of 6.8 Use of biological control agents shall be documented, the forest's multiple products and services to ensure economic viability minimized, monitored and strictly controlled in accordance and a wide range of environmental and social benefits. with national laws and internationally accepted scientific protocols. Use of genetically modified organisms shall be 5.1 Forest management should strive toward economic viability, prohibited. while taking into account the full environmental, social, and 6.9 The use of exotic species shall be carefully controlled and operational costs of production, and ensuring the investments actively monitored to avoid adverse ecological impacts. necessary to maintain the ecological productivity of the forest. 6.10 Forest conversion to plantations or non-forest land uses shall 5.2 Forest management and marketing operations should encourage not occur, except in circumstances where conversion: the optimal use and local processing of the forest's diversity of a) entails a very limited portion of the forest management unit; products. and 5.3 Forest management should minimize waste associated with b) does not occur on high conservation value forest areas; and harvesting and on-site processing operations and avoid damage c) will enable clear, substantial, additional, secure, long term to other forest resources. conservation benefits across the forest management unit. 5.4 Forest management should strive to strengthen and diversify the local economy, avoiding dependence on a single forest product. PRINCIPLE #7: MANAGEMENT PLAN 5.5 Forest management operations shall recognize, maintain, and, A management plan -- appropriate to the scale and intensity of the where appropriate, enhance the value of forest services and operations -- shall be written, implemented, and kept up to date. resources such as watersheds and fisheries. The long term objectives of management, and the means of 5.6 The rate of harvest of forest products shall not exceed levels achieving them, shall be clearly stated. which can be permanently sustained. 7.1 The management plan and supporting documents shall PRINCIPLE #6: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT provide: Forest management shall conserve biological diversity and its a) Management objectives. associated values, water resources, soils, and unique and fragile b) Description of the forest resources to be managed, ecosystems and landscapes, and, by so doing, maintain the ecological environmental limitations, land use and ownership status, functions and the integrity of the forest. socio-economic conditions, and a profile of adjacent lands. c) Description of silvicultural and/or other management 6.1 Assessment of environmental impacts shall be completed -- system, based on the ecology of the forest in question and appropriate to the scale, intensity of forest management and the information gathered through resource inventories. uniqueness of the affected resources -- and adequately d) Rationale for rate of annual harvest and species selection. integrated into management systems. Assessments shall e) Provisions for monitoring of forest growth and dynamics. include landscape level considerations as well as the impacts of f) Environmental safeguards based on environmental on-site processing facilities. Environmental impacts shall be assessments. assessed prior to commencement of site-disturbing operations. g) Plans for the identification and protection of rare, 6.2 Safeguards shall exist which protect rare, threatened and threatened and endangered species. endangered species and their habitats (e.g., nesting and feeding h) Maps describing the forest resource base including areas). Conservation zones and protection areas shall be protected areas, planned management activities and land established, appropriate to the scale and intensity of forest ownership. management and the uniqueness of the affected resources. i) Description and justification of harvesting techniques and Inappropriate hunting, fishing, trapping and collecting shall be equipment to be used. controlled. 7.2 The management plan shall be periodically revised to 6.3 Ecological functions and values shall be maintained intact, incorporate the results of monitoring or new scientific and enhanced, or restored, including: 32 technical information, as well as to respond to changing 10.1 The management objectives of the plantation, including environmental, social and economic circumstances. natural forest conservation and restoration objectives, shall 7.3 Forest workers shall receive adequate training and supervision be explicitly stated in the management plan, and clearly to ensure proper implementation of the management plan. demonstrated in the implementation of the plan. 7.4 While respecting the confidentiality of information, forest 10.2 The design and layout of plantations should promote the managers shall make publicly available a summary of the protection, restoration and conservation of natural forests, primary elements of the management plan, including those listed and not increase pressures on natural forests. Wildlife in Criterion 7.1. corridors, streamside zones and a mosaic of stands of different ages and rotation periods, shall be used in the PRINCIPLE #8: MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT layout of the plantation, consistent with the scale of the Monitoring shall be conducted -- appropriate to the scale and intensity operation. The scale and layout of plantation blocks shall be of forest management -- to assess the condition of the forest, yields consistent with the patterns of forest stands found within the of forest products, chain of custody, management activities and their natural landscape. social and environmental impacts. 10.3 Diversity in the composition of plantations is preferred, so as to enhance economic, ecological and social stability. Such 8.1 The frequency and intensity of monitoring should be determined diversity may include the size and spatial distribution of by the scale and intensity of forest management operations as management units within the landscape, number and genetic well as the relative complexity and fragility of the affected composition of species, age classes and structures. environment. Monitoring procedures should be consistent and 10.4 The selection of species for planting shall be based on their replicable over time to allow comparison of results and overall suitability for the site and their appropriateness to the assessment of change. management objectives. In order to enhance the 8.2 Forest management should include the research and data conservation of biological diversity, native species are collection needed to monitor, at a minimum, the following preferred over exotic species in the establishment of indicators: plantations and the restoration of degraded ecosystems. a) Yield of all forest products harvested. Exotic species, which shall be used only when their b) Growth rates, regeneration and condition of the forest. performance is greater than that of native species, shall be c) Composition and observed changes in the flora and fauna. carefully monitored to detect unusual mortality, disease, or d) Environmental and social impacts of harvesting and other insect outbreaks and adverse ecological impacts. operations. 10.5 A proportion of the overall forest management area, e) Costs, productivity, and efficiency of forest management. appropriate to the scale of the plantation and to be 8.3 Documentation shall be provided by the forest manager to determined in regional standards, shall be managed so as to enable monitoring and certifying organizations to trace each restore the site to a natural forest cover. forest product from its origin, a process known as the "chain of 10.6 Measures shall be taken to maintain or improve soil structure, custody." fertility, and biological activity. The techniques and rate of 8.4 The results of monitoring shall be incorporated into the harvesting, road and trail construction and maintenance, and implementation and revision of the management plan. the choice of species shall not result in long term soil 8.5 While respecting the confidentiality of information, forest degradation or adverse impacts on water quality, quantity or managers shall make publicly available a summary of the results substantial deviation from stream course drainage patterns. of monitoring indicators, including those listed in Criterion 8.2. 10.7 Measures shall be taken to prevent and minimize outbreaks of pests, diseases, fire and invasive plant introductions. PRINCIPLE 9: MAINTENANCE OF HIGH CONSERVATION Integrated pest management shall form an essential part of VALUE FORESTS the management plan, with primary reliance on prevention Management activities in high conservation value forests shall and biological control methods rather than chemical maintain or enhance the attributes which define such forests. pesticides and fertilizers. Plantation management should Decisions regarding high conservation value forests shall always be make every effort to move away from chemical pesticides and considered in the context of a precautionary approach. fertilizers, including their use in nurseries. The use of chemicals is also covered in Criteria 6.6 and 6.7. 9.1 Assessment to determine the presence of the attributes consistent 10.8 Appropriate to the scale and diversity of the operation, with High Conservation Value Forests will be completed, monitoring of plantations shall include regular assessment of appropriate to scale and intensity of forest management. potential on-site and off-site ecological and social impacts, 9.2 The consultative portion of the certification process must place (e.g. natural regeneration, effects on water resources and soil emphasis on the identified conservation attributes, and options fertility, and impacts on local welfare and social well-being), for the maintenance thereof. in addition to those elements addressed in principles 8, 6 and 9.3 The management plan shall include and implement specific 4. No species should be planted on a large scale until local measures that ensure the maintenance and/or enhancement of trials and/or experience have shown that they are ecologically the applicable conservation attributes consistent with the well-adapted to the site, are not invasive, and do not have precautionary approach. These measures shall be specifically significant negative ecological impacts on other ecosystems. included in the publicly available management plan summary. Special attention will be paid to social issues of land 9.4 Annual monitoring shall be conducted to assess the effectiveness acquisition for plantations, especially the protection of local of the measures employed to maintain or enhance the applicable rights of ownership, use or access. conservation attributes. 10.9 Plantations established in areas converted from natural forests after November 1994 normally shall not qualify for PRINCIPLE # 10: PLANTATIONS certification. Certification may be allowed in circumstances Plantations shall be planned and managed in accordance with where sufficient evidence is submitted to the certification Principles and Criteria 1 - 9, and Principle 10 and its Criteria. body that the manager/owner is not responsible directly or While plantations can provide an array of social and economic indirectly of such conversion. benefits, and can contribute to satisfying the world's needs for *** forest products, they should complement the management of, reduce pressures on, and promote the restoration and conservation of natural forests. 33 Department of Forestry, North Carolina State University Brief Highlights, 2002-2003

Mission: The Department of Forestry teaches and promotes the science and practice of forestry and natural resource management. Integrated teaching, research, and extension programs in the Department of Forestry will provide leadership in enhancing productivity and achieving sustainable forest and natural resource management on private and public lands in the South and the world.

I. Teaching A. Enrollment by Curriculum, Fall 2003 B. Classes Taught, Calendar Year 2002 Undergraduates: 63 undergraduate courses 97 forest management 5824 undergraduate credit hours 53 natural resources 8 graduate courses 17 environmental science/hydrology 1404 graduate credit hours 61 fisheries and wildlife science 50 environmental technology Graduates: 106; 70 Masters; 36 PhDs

II. Faculty and Administration, January 2003 55 professors and extension specialists, full or part time 30 state funded academic/research; 7 extension faculty and specialists 17 external funded research 2 permanent visiting faculty, external funded 4 joint appointed faculty; 4 administrators 43 male, 11 female; 45 Caucasian, 7 Asian, 2 Mideastern, 1 African American

III. Department Expertise Tree improvement, genetics, productivity, and biotechnology Fisheries and wildlife Resource monitoring, measurements, and management Cooperative extension and education Forest ecology and restoration Remote sensing and GIS Resource economics and policy Sustainable forest management Environmental technology and remediation International forestry

IV. Research and Extension A. Extension Activities, 2002 B. Research Publications and Other Professional Programming Grants (14) $179,250 Activities, Calendar Year 2002 Extension Series/ College Publications 3 External Publications (116) Popular articles 18 Books 2 Video, CD-ROM, or web-based materials 31 Refereed Journal Articles 55 Newsletters 2 Book Chapters/Research Papers 7 Presentations ~150 External Technical Reports and Bulletins 12 Client/Office/County Agent Visits ~250 Professional Proceedings Articles 24 Media Releases ~25 Popular/Professional/Web Articles 16 Demonstrations and Applied Research Projects ~75 Internal Industrial Co-op Reports 20

C. Research Grants and Co-op Funding, Calendar Year 2002 ~40 new external grants in calendar year 2002, totaling $4,391,361 6 industrial research cooperatives, totaling $1,382,000 Total of $5,773,361 in external funds

V. State Appropriated and CNR Budget Departmental Funds, FY 2004 Academic Teaching and Research $2,117,328 Agricultural Research (ARS) 823,484 Woodlot, Bioremediation 184,198 Biotech 839,842 ARS Christmas Trees 214,655 McIntire-Stennis 356,375 Co-op Extension 750,000 Indirect Cost Return 20,337 Salary Release 153,846 Forestry Foundation 318,000

Teaching/Research/Service Total $ 5,778,065 Contracts & Grants Received, 2002 4,391,361 Co-op Memberships, 2002 1,382,000 Total Budget, Internal and External $11,551,426 (50% internal/50% external)

Fred Cubbage, Professor & Head; j\dofreps\ highlights.January2004; v#3; 11 April 2004 34 For595G: Ghana Forestry SUMMER 2004 SYLLABUS

LOGISTICS Time: May 12 - 28 (plus several meetings in April and May) Classroom: Ghana (and 2102 Biltmore Hall) Credit: 2 credits, graded S/U Required Readings: Resource Notebook Web Page: http://www4.ncsu.edu/~spattan/ghana.htm Instructor: Erin Sills, 3112 Jordan Hall, [email protected]

THEME: Multiple-use of Ghanaian forests: conflict and complementarity among production of goods (timber, fuelwood/charcoal, bushmeat/fish) and services (tourism, water quality) from forests of different ecotypes, tenure systems, and management regimes.

SPECIFIC TOPICS: Mangrove management (pollution impacts, role in fisheries); Ecotourism; Forest restoration; Certification (timber and tourism); Traditional agroforestry; Land use change; Native species; Non-timber forest products; Research; Policy; Culture and history of Ghana.

ACTIVITIES: Direct observation of forest use; semi-structured interviews; lectures; field tours; small group field investigations; home stays; community service to help develop ecotourism; case study to evaluate certification potential; group discussions structured by ex-ante preparation of questions and ex-post comparison of notes.

INSTITUTIONS: University of Ghana, Shai Hills Forest Reserve, Communities of Liati Wote and Gbledi Gborgame, Borbiri Forest Reserve, FORIG, KNUST, Wood Industry Training Center, Ahwiaa, Ntonso, Cultural Centre, Kakum National Park, Ankasa Conservation Area, Wildlife Society, Amanzuri ICDP, Nzulezo, Portal Ltd., Winrock (university, government, non-profit, community, and private sector players in forest management in Ghana)

ASSIGNMENTS 1. Two summaries of background information for resource notebook. 2. Active participation in all aspects of study tour. 3. Take complete notes on assigned day of study tour, including direct observations, names & addresses of all contacts, all handouts, scientific names of species, reports from groups that may have visited or heard from different speakers. Based on notes: ¾ Write letters to all hosts for that day by June 15 (printed and signed); ¾ Submit a complete journal entry by July 15 (electronic format); ¾ Submit 1 – 3 powerpoint slides with photos and findings by August 15; ¾ Assist with material from that day for presentations, Sylvanet article, and poster. 4. Other follow-up activities: ¾ Finalize webpage and report for Liati Wote and Gbledi Gborgame; ¾ Report to Portal; ¾ Presentation to Department of Forestry seminar series in fall 2004; ¾ Sylvanet article (due September 2004); ¾ Poster; ¾ Presentation(s) to class(es); ¾ Presentations to ISTF and other student clubs, as requested; ¾ Article on findings of trip.

35

NCSU GHANA Guidelines for Rapid Rural Appraisal

Our broad theme is multiple-use of Ghanaian forests, and more specifically the interactions among production of goods (e.g., timber, fuelwood/charcoal, bushmeat/fish) and services (eco-tourism, water quality) from forests of different ecotypes (mangrove, dry forest, moist tropical forest), tenure systems (government, community, private), and management (to be fleshed out during trip). Specific case studies will include ecotourism development of the Afadjato community forest (in the Upper Volta) and certification of Portal’s forest management area (in the southwest). Recognizing that the appraisal methods are qualitative rather than strictly quantitative and that the process involves more ‘art’ than science, please use the following guidelines as just that.

1. Direct observation guide: Take mental notes on forest products being collected, transported, or sold and record: (i) when (early morning, morning, afternoon, evening), (ii) where -- region of Ghana and specific location (e.g., with respect to highways, paved road in towns, dirt road, or foothpath), (iii) who (gender, age, any other information), and (iv) what (species, degree of processing, packaging, volume). Watch for sale or transportation of timber (e.g., on logging trucks), bushmeat/fish, or fuelwood/charcoal; also note any other forest products being extracted, transported, or sold.

Notice how the forest is used: (a) who is in the forest (tourists, guards, researchers, local people), (b) what evidence is there of forest use (number and wear of trails, cut branches and trees), and (c) how far forests are from streams, ponds, tanks and rivers.

See the forest through tourist eyes: What is most appealing? What diminishes your experience? What interesting things have you learned that could be somehow displayed or interpreted for tourists? Do you notice evidence of forest product extraction? How is this treated by guides/hosts? (Record both for forests that you visit and for the landscape that sets the backdrop for stops and drives.)

36 2. Mini-Interview guide Note, while you should try to cover the broad questions discussed in this section, do not stick to the script too closely. Add things as you make your way across Ghana. Use a similar set of questions to interpret and engage with ‘experts’ and community representatives.

1 Forest products and services bushmeat fuelwood timber tourism water Forest provides (yy/y/n/nn) Affects supply of other forest benefits (+/-/0) My family sells or earns income from (yy/y/n/nn) Is culturally important (yy/y/n/nn) Is most important to me and my family (rate 1,2,3) Is most important to Ghana (rate 1,2,3)

Note: you could use the following questions to fill in the table above. Do people get {bushmeat, fuelwood, timber} from the forest? OR Does this {bushmeat, fuelwood, timber} come from forest? What else comes from that forest … Do tourists visit the forest? What are other benefits of the forest? If doesn’t mention water, ask if forest protects rivers, streams, and water sources? If agree, what is the use of that water? (drinking, fishing, etc.) How does this use affect what else you can get from the forest? For example, when bushmeat is harvested, does that have positive (+), negative (-) or no (0) impact on fuelwood, timber, tourism, water? Which of these outputs from the forest is most important to you and your family personally? Do you sell any of these products? To whom? If these had to be bought, which do you think would cost the most? Which of these outputs is most important for Ghana’s development or future?”

2 Forest (area being discussed, or source of product being discussed) a) Ecotype:______b) Region:______c) Secondary forest? ______d) Accessibility (how far from road, town, etc.) ______3 Who officially (legally) owns the forest? Who decides who can use the forest for what? What happens if someone or something not allowed takes place in the forest?

4 If this forest were not protected or managed for these products, what would the land be used for? Who would prefer that the land be used this way?

5 Record respondent’s: (a) Gender ______(b) Age ______(c) Position ______(d) Ethnic group ______, and (e) Employment ______6 Record interview details: (a) Date and time ______, (b) Location ______, (c) Proximity to highway, paved road, dirt road, footpath ______, and (e) Your name ______

3. Mini-interview guide for tourists (can be adapted for anyone who works in tourism sector) 37

1. How long are you spending in Ghana on this trip? 2. Have you visited any forests (as a specific destination)? If not, do you plan to visit any forests? Then go to Q#9 3. Which forest areas have you visited? (e.g., Kakum). Pick one forest area visited and ask 4. What did you like most about this forest? Please give a few specific examples. 5. Did the forest seem pristine? For example, on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is untouched and 5 is heavily used by people, how would you rate the forest? 6. Did you notice how local people use the forest? Did your guide explain anything about this? If not mentioned, ask specifically about bushmeat, fuelwood, and timber. 7. From your perspective, is it better to see a forest that looks pristine and untouched or better to see a forest that is being used? That is, which do you find more appealing? 8. Did you notice any streams or other water bodies in the forest? Were these important part of the visit? Did the water seem clean to you? Why or why not? 9. Is visiting and observing nature one of the main reasons for your trip to Ghana? 10. Did your experience in Ghana and in the forests match your expectations? How was it similar or different? 11. Have you visited other countries in Africa? 12. Which country are you from? 13. What do you do there (what is your job)? 14. Interviewer: Note gender and approximate age

38

Tropical Forestry Study Tour to Ghana

CONTACTS NCSU Forestry: Carolina Thomson, 919-515-2892, [email protected] Ghana: Group cell phone: 233-244-439712, [email protected] http://www4.ncsu.edu/~spattan/ghana.htm

ITINERARY May 12, Wed Meet behind Biltmore at 14:30 or at airport at 15:00 NW5968 departs 17:10 NW 58 departs 19:15 May 13, Thur NW 8589 departs 14:20 Arrive Accra 19:00, meet Dela Passah (21-401424/244-687718) Dinner, brief orientation Lodging: University Guest Centre, Legon 233-21-500184 Transport: Toyota Coaster rented from Broadleigh Leasing and Rental Company (w/ comprehensive insurance). Driver is Joseph Ntiamoah, and office contact is Kofi Ghansah (233-21-247554/244-859244). Guides: Kwaku Passah (233)-21-401424/277-544644 Dela Passah 21-401424/244-687718 May 14, Fri 8.30 Breakfast at the Guest Centre. 9.30 Dept. of Ocean. & Fisheries, meetings with officials from Forestry Commission and Fisheries Dept, and university faculty including Francis Nunoo (21-514656/ 20-2003075) 13:00 Lunch (with Rob Clausen, USAID) and check-out 14:30 Depart for Tema to visit degraded coastal mangrove 18:00 Arrive Shai Hills Resort (21-762482/244-836883) 19:00 Dinner and group meeting May 15, Sat Early morning visit to Shai Hills Resource Reserve. Return to Hotel for late breakfast, check-out and departure for Hohoe. Stopovers include Senchi Riverside Resort and its ecotourism project. Lodging: home stays in Liati Wote and Gbledi Gborgame (935-20046) May 16, Sun Afadjato Community Forest Conservation Project Hike Afadjato (885m), the highest mountain in Ghana. Visit local industries that depend on raw materials from the forest: gari making, processing of palm oil, honey, soap and mushroom production. Group meeting. Borborbor drumming and dancing. Lodging: home stays in Liati Wote and Gbledi Gborgame (935-20046) May 17, Mon Community service (ecotourism development, mapping, webpage) Visit Tagbo Waterfalls, walking through cocoa, coffee and food crops farms, and tropical semi-deciduous rainforests. Lodging: home stays in Liati Wote and Gbledi Gborgame (935-20046) May 18, Tue Early departure for Kumasi Stops at Tafi Monkey Sanctuary and Volta Lake Lodging: Bobiri Forest Reserve (233-51-60123) May 19, Wed Early morning hike KNUST, FORIG, Wood Industry Training Center (host: Francis Ulzen-Appiah) Lodging: Bobiri Forest Reserve (233-51-60123)

39

Guide: Wisdom Akpabli (21-401424/244-696442) May 20, Thu AHWIAA (woodcarving), NTONSO (adinkra) Cultural Center (museum and craft center) (note that may include visit to forest restoration) Lodging: GUSSS Hostel (233-51-60447/62214,or 233-27-7886294)

May 21, Fri Depart for Cape Coast to tour castles in Cape Coast and Elmina (note that may include visit to forest restoration site or Portal Plantation) 16:30 Winrock (Elmina Castle) Felix Nguah (0208159369) Lodging: Coconut Gove Bridge House (42-34557/244-262503)

May 22, Sat Kakum National Park (including canopy walkway and hike) (note that may be followed by visit to Portal Plantation) Free time in Cape Coast and at the beach Lodging: Coconut Gove Bridge House (42-34557/244-262503)

May 23, Sun Ankasa Conservation Area (hiking) Lodging: Ankasa National Park Tourist Camp (20-8137086/244-167419)

May 24, Mon Amanzuri ICDP (mangroves) Meeting with Wildlife Society Nzulezo (village on stilts) Lodging: Takoradi or Bogosu (Golden Hotel, 020-2112487/0362-20469)

May 25, Tue Portal field visit (Wellington Baiden 233-24-4330142) Lodging: Takoradi or Bogosu (Golden Hotel, 020-2112487/0362-20469)

May 26, Wed Portal field visit Lodging: Anomabo Beach Resort (42-33801-244-331737)

May 27, Thur Morning on Anomabo Beach and coastal village Late morning departure for Accra, time to shop KL590 departs Accra 21:15

May 28, Fri Arrive Amsterdam 6:10 NW57 departs 14:25 NW1768 departs 18:35 (arrive RDU 21:21)

40

NOTES

41