Challenges to the efficacy of forestry and wildlife policies in Ghana for environmental protection: A review

Abstract

Despite the promulgation of various forest and wildlife policies aimed at ensuring the sustainability and conservation of the environment since 1874, Ghana continues to trail in issues regarding environmental control, especially in mitigating the upfront menace of deforestation and pollution of the environment. The desk review study, driven by qualitative research approach with document analysis, was undertaken to unearth the recurring challenges that have been the obstacles to achieving sustainability and conservation of the Ghanaian environment and resources. The study revealed that the main recurring challenges to the sustainability of Ghana's forest and wildlife policies are lack of stakeholder participation of local people, factorization of cultural practices, strong implementation strategies, proper documentation for equitable distribution of resources to the local people, and provision of sustainable alternative sources of livelihood for local residents. The study suggested pragmatic ways through which conservation planners could ensure the sustainability of Ghana's forest and wildlife policies for optimum environmental protection.