Implementing timber legality assurance regime in Ghana: a review of stakeholders concerns and current institutional constraints

Illegal logging has contributed significantly to slowing the march towards sustainable forest management in Ghana. Illegal logging has been found to thrive in environment where regulatory controls are not adequate. Stakeholders are concerned about the verification of legal compliance for timber harvesting and processing in Ghana. The Government of Ghana initiated the Validation of Legal Timber Programme (VLTP) to enhance the Forestry Commission’s capacity to control illegal logging and ensure production of legal timber. This paper reviews the scope of stakeholders concern and current institutional constraints for legal timber verification in Ghana. The aim is to provide background information as input for a new institutional framework under the VLTP. The review has shown that the current institutional set-up is not suitable for implementing timber legality assurance regime and therefore necessary to instigate a programme of institutional changes. A key element in institutional change is acquiring stakeholder support, which may not be easy when there are employment issues and vested interests at stake. It is essential that a participatory, open and inclusive approach is taken involving all the stakeholders

Towards REDD+ implementation: Deforestation and forest degradation drivers, REDD+ financing, and readiness activities in participant countries

Copyright © 2022 Andoh, Oduro, Park and Lee.This study provides an assessment of dominant drivers of deforestation and forest degradation across 29 REDD+ participant countries and total funds disbursed from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility to 15 participant countries since they signed their respective Readiness Preparation Proposals (R-PPs), as well as what they spent the grants on. This study aims to provide information for policymakers and donors on the need to invest in REDD+, as well as the need for participant countries to channel funds to key activities for effectively and efficiently implementing REDD+. The assessment is based on participant countries R-PPs and FCPF readiness fund progress reports, using a content analysis approach. The expansion of agriculture, which includes both commercial and subsistence agriculture, was the predominant driver of deforestation, while logging, such as industrial and small-scale exploitation, was the main driver of forest degradation in most participating countries. In addition, we observed that the 15 participant countries received a total of USD 702.36 million for REDD+ readiness preparation. However, most countries have received less than USD 10 million for their readiness-related activities. We observed a huge disparity regarding the funds received between countries from sub-Saharan Africa and their Asian and Latin American counterparts, particularly Indonesia and Peru, respectively. Furthermore, almost all countries have spent their funds on policy and strategy development, stakeholder and consultation events, and public awareness creation. Relatively small amounts have been spent on capacity building and training. Thus, international donors need to focus on strengthening institutional capacities and building effective forest governance structures in countries participating in REDD+, and they should also provide platforms to engage with participant countries to tackle the main deforestation and forest degradation drivers. We suggest further studies to identify high-performing countries that have received lower-than-average funding, consider their deforestation pressures, the size of forests, and the emission reduction potential.Y

Impact of illegal mining activities on forest ecosystem services: local communities\u27 attitudes and willingness to participate in restoration activities in Ghana

Degradation caused by mining tends to have long-term adverse effects on flora and fauna, often due to the dumping of toxic materials and the severe mutilation of the Earth\u27s crust. This study examines the local communities\u27 perception of the impact of illegal mining on ecosystem services. The perceived impact of galamsey - small-scale mining operated without a license - jeopardizes water availability and quality, which has dire consequences on members of mining communities. Most members are farmers and depend largely on the land for their livelihood, which impacts food security, poverty, crime and migration. Mining communities are aware of the importance of forest ecosystem services and how it affects their general well-being and livelihoods

Pyrolysis of municipal food waste: A sustainable potential approach for solid food waste management and organic crop fertilizer production

ABSTRACTFood waste can be converted to a useful product such as biochar as a way of recycling waste to retain nutrients in the soil, which in turn contributes to carbon sequestration and offset some greenhouse gas emissions in the struggle to achieve carbon neutrality. Mixed food waste-derived biochars (FWB1–300°C, FWB2–450°C and FWB3–600°C) were pyrolysed at 300°C, 450°C and 600°C, respectively, using an electric kiln. Tests for physiochemical parameters and germination tests were performed. It was realized that at 300°C biochars produced had high nitrogen, organic matter, bulk density, biochar yield, and longer root lengths. The results indicate that municipal food waste biochars produced at three temperatures were suitable for use as fertilizer. However, biochar produced at a moderately lower temperature is favourable for agriculture purposes, FWB1–300°C and FWB2–450°C obtained moderate pH and ash levels and so are less toxic to the growth of plants