From Conflict to Collaboration: Atewa Forest Governance
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From conflict to collaboration: Atewa Forest governance by Victor Mawutor Agbo A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfillment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Master of Environmental Studies in Geography Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2019 ©Victor Mawutor Agbo 2019 Author's Declaration I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. ii Abstract Many countries are addressing the problem of deforestation through sustainable ecosystem management collaborations. Successful ones have recognized local participation as being essential to any conservation effort. In Ghana, forests and their ecotourism attributes have served as a pull to many international adventure and eco-tourists but unfortunately, the country’s forest cover has experienced significant exploitation over the years leading to the less desirability of these nature-based attractions. Despite its designation as a protected area for biodiversity and watershed services, the Atewa Forest in Ghana has been significantly impacted by humans. The problem of forest degradation has increased over the years. This is mainly due to the many tree and livelihood conflicts in most forest communities. The Government of Ghana has outlined its plans to mine the Atewa Range Forest Reserve as part of a national infrastructure development programme which has received a lot of opposition from many civil society groups, NGOs and professional institutions, stating that to mine the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, the entire forest would have to be removed. Despite strong opposition from local communities, state actors and international conservation organizations, the Ghanaian government is determined to proceed with a plans for bauxite mining in the Atewa Forest. To understand these dynamics, investigate the causes of forest degradation, and to recommend ecologically- based management approaches such as community-based ecotourism to facilitate win-win outcomes for all stakeholders, this study adopts the interactive governance model and the case study approach to finding answers to the research questions. Different groups of stakeholders at various scales and levels were engaged in interviews and focus group discussions for ecologically based strategies that generate win-win outcomes for all. The study reveals that for forest governance to be effective, there is the need for a bottom-up, all-inclusive approach to the management of forest resources. It also emphasizes the importance of ecotourism’s ability to deliver greater sustainable returns than alternative land-use practices and highlight its potential as a conservation tool for forest lands for purposes of recreation and tourism in nature-based environments. iii Acknowledgements The research for this thesis was funded by SSHRC Insight Grant contract 50656-10083 held by Prof. Larry Swatuk of the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) at the University of Waterloo. This thesis would not have been possible without the guidance and supervision of my academic advisor and research supervisor, Professor Larry Swatuk. I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to him for his time, dedication, resources, effort and inspiration. Thank you very much, Sir. I am likewise grateful to the faculty members of the Department of Geography and Environmental Management, particularly Professors Sanjay Nepal and Brent Doberstein for willingly accepting to serve on my research committee. A big thanks to you all. I will like to sincerely extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Tourism Cares Organization in collaboration with the NTA Luray Caverns for the opportunity provided for me to be a recipient of the NTA Luray Caverns Graduate Research Scholarship and to be part of the Bruce Beckham Mentoring Program at NTA Travel Exchange in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The scholarship and mentorship opportunity aided so much in the completion of this work. Also, my gratitude goes to the Bruce Mitchell Scholarship program available in the Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo, for graduate student researchers in the field of Environmental Resources Management. To Professor Bruce Mitchell, thank you for your support and inspiration. I also want to thank a few professors from my home institutions. To Professor Kwaku Adutwum Boakye and Dr. Ewoenam Afenyo-Agbe, both of University of Cape Coast, Ghana; and Professor Samuel B. Owusu-Mintah of Cape Coast Technical University, Ghana, thank you for your unceasing support. Your recommendations made my study at University of Waterloo possible. My appreciation also goes to all the institutions, individuals and groups of people who in diverse ways contributed to the success of my fieldwork in Kwabeng, the Atewa West District capital of Ghana. Specifically, I acknowledge the contributions of Professor Bertha iv Osei-Hwedie, Mr. Adolph Agbey and Madam Alice Achampong, all of GIMPA, Ghana; Officials from the Forestry Commission of Ghana (Accra, Koforidua, Begoro, Kyebi and Anyinam offices), the Ghana Tourism Authority, the Atewa West District Assembly, the students and staff of Kwabeng Anglican Senior High Technical School and the staff of A Rocha Ghana for their support during my data collection. I will like to specifically acknowledge Wilhelmina Owusu-Nkrumah, Mr. Oteng-Adjei (the Assemblyman of Kwabeng), Emmanuel Bosu, Mr. Daniel Agbogbo and Madam Gifty Brako for going the extra mile to make my stay in Ghana, particularly Kwabeng worthwhile. I also want to thank my family in Canada for the immeasurable support and show of love during my entire academic life. Thank you, Professor Robert Ame, Charity Dela Ame, Sena, Eyram and Edem. To my amazing research group members, those of us who worked under the supervision of Professor Swatuk, thank you all. Júlia De Marins, from the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), Brazil, Victoria Fillippelli and Lesley Rotich, we made it. Finally, I will like to finally extend my gratitude to all my University of Waterloo mates, study companions, group members and dear friends, who were there for me right from the beginning to see this happen. Thank you, Bernard Adu-Mensah, Hang Ratana Sin, Sarah- Louise Ruder, Zarin Tasnim Khan, Onifade Odunayo, Thelma Abu, Seynabou Ngoné Gaye, Percy Korsah, Joseph Kangmennaang, Elizabeth Opiyo, Christina Appah and all other friends that I have not mentioned. You’re all much appreciated. v Dedication This is a special dedication to my lovely parents, Rev. Victor S. Y. Agbo and Mrs. Salome E. Agbo; and to my siblings; Elorm, Makafui, Edudzi and Bubune. You have all been a source of hope and inspiration to me. God bless you. vi Table of Contents Author's Declaration ........................................................................................................... ii Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iv Dedication .......................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ................................................................................................................... xii List of Tables ................................................................................................................... xiii List of Boxes .................................................................................................................... xiv List of Pictures ...................................................................................................................xv Chapter 1 ............................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 1.0 The context of forest governance in Ghana .............................................................. 1 1.1 Study Area: Atewa Forest Range .............................................................................. 6 1.2 Research Questions ................................................................................................... 7 1.3 Research Objectives .................................................................................................. 7 1.4 Justification of the Study ........................................................................................... 8 1.5 Structure of the Thesis............................................................................................... 9 Chapter 2 ........................................................................................................................... 11 Literature Review.............................................................................................................. 11 2.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 11 2.1 A political ecology perspective ............................................................................... 11 2.2 Forest-based livelihoods .......................................................................................... 14 2.3 The governance