Biodiversity and Tropical Forests Environmental Threats and Opportunities Assessment
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BIODIVERSITY AND TROPICAL FORESTS ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES ASSESSMENT May 2011 This report was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It was prepared by U.S. Forest Service, International Programs. COVER PHOTOS (Kakum National Park and Cape Coast Fishing Boats) Courtesy of USFS, IP BIODIVERSITY AND TROPICAL FORESTS ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS AND OPPORTUNITIES ASSESSMENT May 2011 DISCLAIMER The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ············································································ IX EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ················································································ 1 Country Overview ............................................................................................................................................. 1 Executive Summary: Issues and Opportunities of Note............................................................................ 7 Climate Change-Related Issues and Recommendations (From Climate Change Assessment) ........................................................................................................................................ 16 I. INTRODUCTION ······················································································ 22 A.The Purpose of this Assessment ............................................................................................................... 22 B. Methodology ................................................................................................................................................. 22 C. Country Overview ...................................................................................................................................... 23 2. SOCIO-ECONOMIC OVERVIEW OF GHANA ············································· 26 A. Key Economic Drivers and Constraints ................................................................................................ 28 B. Poverty and Employment ........................................................................................................................... 31 C. Health ............................................................................................................................................................. 32 D. Education ....................................................................................................................................................... 33 3. THE LEGISLATIVE AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ·························· 34 A. Overview of Key Policies and Laws (Land and Natural Resources) ............................................... 34 B. Sector Issues/Opportunities ...................................................................................................................... 39 4. GHANA’S BIO-DIVERSITY AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SECTORS ·································································· 41 A. Endangered Species and Bio-Diversity Conservation ......................................................................... 41 B. Coastal and Marine Environments and Fisheries .................................................................................. 44 C. Freshwater Resources ............................................................................................................................... 50 D. Agriculture and Rangeland Resources ................................................................................................... 53 E. Forest Resources ......................................................................................................................................... 57 5. RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS ··········································· 64 A. Conclusions on the Strategic Affect of USAID Programs on the Environment ........................... 64 B. Recommended Short-Term Interventions ............................................................................................. 65 C. Recommended Medium-Term and Longer-Term Interventions ..................................................... 68 APPENDIX 1. TEAM ITINERARY AND CONTACTS ······································ 72 APPENDIX 2. TEAM MEMBERS ··································································· 79 APPENDIX 3. SCOPE OF WORK ································································· 80 APPENDIX 4. GHANA’S ENVIRONMENTAL INTERNATIONAL TREATIES AND CONVENTIONS ························································ 92 APPENDIX 5. PROTECTED AREAS OF GHANA ··········································· 96 APPENDIX 6. THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES ······················· 121 APPENDIX 7. TABLE OF POTENTIAL COLLABORATORS AND THEIR FOCUS AREAS ················································································· 127 APPENDIX 8. KEY REFERENCE WEBSITES ················································ 141 APPENDIX 9. ETOA BIBLIOGRAPHY ························································ 143 Map 1 Natural Vegetation Zones and Protected Areas ........................................................................................... 1 Map 2: Agro-Ecological Zones ...................................................................................................................................... 24 Map 3: Condition of Protected Areas of Ghana ...................................................................................................... 41 Map 4: Coastal Zone of Ghana..................................................................................................................................... 45 Map 5: Volta River System ............................................................................................................................................. 51 Map 6 Air Photo of Forests of SW Ghana ................................................................................................................ 57 Map 7: Protected Wildlife Areas of Ghana ............................................................................................................ 120 Table 1: Agro-ecological zones .................................................................................................................................... 23 Table 2: Ghana Socio-economic Profile ..................................................................................................................... 26 Table 3: Forest Protected Areas by Type of Area .................................................................................................. 59 ACRONYMS CAADP Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme CBADs Community Biodiversity Advisory Groups CBO Community-based organizations CC Climate Change CDCS Country Development Cooperation Strategy CEA Country Environmental Analysis CEPF Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund CFCs Community Forest Committees CFM Collaborative Forest Management CI Conservation International CIDA Canadian International Development Agency CITES Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species CPUE Catch Per Unit of Effort CPUE catch per unit effort CRC Coastal Resources Center CREMA Community Resource Management Area CRMU Collaborative Resource Management Unit CSIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research CSIR The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research CSO Civil Society Organization CSP Country Strategic Plan CWSA Water and Sanitation Agency CWSD Community Water and Sanitation Division DA District Assembly DSD dry semi-deciduous EC Energy Commission ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States EPA Environmental Protection Agency EPA The Environmental Protection Agency ETOA Environmental Threats and Opportunities Assessment EU European Union BIODIVERSITY & TROPICAL FORESTS ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS & OPPORTUNITIES ASSESSMENT V FAA Foreign Assistance Act FAO Food and Agriculture Organization, UN FASDEP Food and Ag. Sector Development Policy FASDP Fisheries and Aquaculture Sector Development Plan FC Forestry Commission FCPF Forest Carbon Partnership Facility FDMP Forestry Development Master Plan FMT Facility Management Team FR Forest Reserves FSD Forestry Services Division FtF Feed the Future (USAID multi-year strategy) FY fiscal year GAEC The Ghana Atomic Energy Commission GCMs Global Circulation Models GDP Gross Domestic Product GEF Global Environment Facility GFTN Global Forest Trade Network GLSS Ghana Living Standard Surveys GoG Government of Ghana GPRS Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy GSBA Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas GSGDA Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda GWS Ghana Wildlife Society HDI Human Development Index IBA Important Bird Areas IEE Initial Environmental Examination IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPM Integrated Pest Management ITCZ Intertropical Convergence Zone IUCN International Union for the Conservation of Nature JICA Japan international development agency LAP Land Administration Project LME Large Marine Ecosystem MDGs Millennium Development Goals VI BIODIVERSITY & TROPICAL FORESTS ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS & OPPORTUNITIES ASSESSMENT ME moist evergreen MEO Mission Environmental Officer MEST Ministry of Env., Science and Technology METASIP Medium Term Ag. Sector Investment Plan MLNR Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources MOFA Ministry of Food and Agriculture MSD moist semi-deciduous MWRWH Ministry of Water Resources