The Future of Landscape Resoration

This is because landscapes face competing demands spurred by population growth, infrastructural expansion and the increasing demand for timber and other forest resources while at the same time being exposed to stress and damage caused by wildfires and natural disasters.

It is therefore prudent to determine the kind of restoration activities that would benefit any particular landscape by providing the best ecological, social and economic advantage on any piece of degraded land.

This was contained in a presentation delivered by Mrs Valerie Fumey Nassah of the Forestry Commission at a symposium to mark the end of TBI Ghana’s five-year phase from 2011 to 2016. The symposium was attended by 70 participants from various walks of life including farmers, traditional authorities, researchers, academics, policy makers, representatives from the Forestry Commission (FC), the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), Civil Society Organisations, beneficiaries of TBI Ghana projects, and other governmental agencies.

Consequently, there is the need to improve upon forest governance by adopting policy frameworks that will aid the restoration process instead of policies that hasten deforestation.

It is also necessary to identify and analyse the roles and responsibilities of both governmental and non –governmental stakeholders such as civil society organisations, forest fringe communities, landowners, farmers and tree growers among several others.

Furthermore, there is the need to promote communication between policy makers, researchers and practitioners to enhance collaboration and ensure harmony amongst them as they strive to find solutions to address Ghana’s degraded landscapes.