Interest groups in Ghana’s forestry are developing local governance arrangements to regularize activities of charcoal producers to sustain the industry.

The ‘Forest Connect’ project provides a strong regulation for the charcoal economy to reduce the sector’s contribution to environmental degradation.

The €31,200 project is jointly funded by the Tropenbos International Ghana (TBI) and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).

The sustainable production of charcoal is important in enhancing rural livelihoods.

The implementation is in response to the ad-hoc manner under which charcoal production in Ghana has been traditionally carried out – largely unregulated and unsustainable.

Project Coordinator, Kwame Appiah Owusu, says perennial issues regarding accessibility to forest resource, sustainability, production methods and marketing are being addressed.

The forest governance agreement will support small and medium forest enterprises to restore sanity in the charcoal producing industry.

The charcoal producers are also forming associations for the establishment of tree plantations and woodlots to replenish Ghana’s dwindling forest cover and to serve as raw material for the charcoal industry.

Mr. Appiah Owusu believes the initiative will ensure the full potential of the sector in realizing rural sustainable livelihoods.

A-one-year multi-stakeholder process is being piloted in the Atebubu-Amantin District of the Brong Ahafo region.

Studies are underway to ensure the initiative sees a national adoption and application.