KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

COLLEGE OF AGRIC. AND NATURAL RESOURCES

COLLABORATIVE FOREST MANAGEMENT
GROUP 4

GROUP MEMBERS

Bruce Tetteh-379318 Sonku Edmund 7820219

Manu Benjamin Kwakye 7813519 Paapa Edumadze Benson 7807119
Owusu Twumasi Patrick 7818319 Kwakye Alfred Kofi 7812419
Arthur Ebenezer 7823119 Kwarteng Evans 7812719
Philip Tetteh. 7820619 Juliet Amegashie Viglo 7802419
Adjei Daniel Mensah. 7824019 Adjei Duah Benjamin 7799719
Adu Felicity-7799919
Ernestina Mawusi – 7813619 Emmanuel Kwesi Osei 7816619
Richard Kwasi Amafo- 7823319 Emmanuel Akosah Bremoong 7823819
INTRODUCTION
Community-based Forest resource management is an approach to forest resource management
that involves the full participation of indigenous peoples' local communities and resource users
in decision-making activities, and the incorporation of local institutions, customary practices, and
knowledge systems in management, regulatory, and enforcement processes. The purpose is to
monitor the local community's well-being and the state of their territories and forest resources by
applying a mix of traditional knowledge and innovative tools and approaches.

STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
There is a hand full of stakeholders that have an interest in the community-based type of forest
management. These include local communities adjacent to or living in the forest area, these
communities become the primary stakeholders of CBFM, they possess traditional knowledge,
cultural practices, and a deep understanding of the forest ecosystem. Their involvement ensures
that forest management decisions align with their needs, aspirations, and sustainable livelihoods.
In the case of the people living in Anyanui, Atleti, and Tunu in the Volta region of Ghana, these
local communities living along the Volta estuary area become the primary stakeholder.
Other stakeholders are also government agencies, who at different levels such as forestry
departments under the FC, environmental ministries, and local government bodies have a vital
role in supporting or regulating CBFM initiatives. Under the guidance of the local government in
the Volta region, in 1991 a group of leaders comprising fishers, farmers, and fuel wood
harvesters formed the “Mangrove Planters and Fishmongers Association” in Anyanui. This
association was formed to act collectively in other to halt the unsustainable exploitation of
mangrove forests while fostering strong social ties at the community level to safeguard their
livelihood.
Also, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) play a vital role in acting as facilitators and
intermediaries between communities and other stakeholders. In the case of community members
living along the volta estuary, efforts by the local communities towards replanting and restoration
of degraded mangrove habitats have been welcomed by the government and promoted by
nongovernmental organizations who have interest in the topic.
Research institutions are also stakeholders in CBFM, they conduct ecological studies, socio-
economic assessments, and monitoring activities that aid in understanding forest dynamics,
biodiversity conservation, and impacts of community interventions. The article “Community-
based mangrove forest management: Implications for local livelihoods and coastal resource
conservation along the Volta estuary catchment area of Ghana” is a typical example of a research
work that broadcasts knowledge on the topic. (Denis Worlanyo Aheto et al., 2016). Community-
based mangrove forest management: Implications for local livelihoods and coastal resource
conservation along the Volta estuary catchment area of Ghana.
The private sector is another group of stakeholders. This sector includes timber companies,
agroforestry enterprises, and eco-tourism operatives may also play a role in CBFM initiatives.
The initiatives may be through responsible business practices, partnerships, and sustainable
investment. This will contribute to the economic viability of CBFM while adhering to
environmental and social standards.
Indigenous and Tribal Organizations: organizations and representatives play a crucial role.In the
areas of Anyanui, Adidokpo, and Tunu where the local communities formed an organization
named the “Mangrove Planters and Fishmongers Association” which is able to help conserve the
mangrove forest by halting over-exploitation of the mangroves.
BENEFITS
Engaging local communities, government agencies, NGOs, research institutions, and the private
sector in CBFM ensures the integration of diverse perspectives, knowledge, and resources. This
collaboration leads to more inclusive, sustainable, and effective forest management approaches
that benefit the environment, local communities, and the broader society.
COLLABORATIVE PLANNING
Collaborative planning is very important in CBFM. The collaborative planning process in
community-based forest management involves the engagement of diverse stakeholders in the
development of management plans and strategies. It begins with identifying and involving
relevant stakeholders, establishing a shared vision and goals, and sharing information about the
forest ecosystem and socio-economic context. Through a collaborative approach, stakeholders
identify problems and opportunities, generate alternative strategies, evaluate them based on
feasibility and impacts, and make collective decisions. The outcome of the process is a
management plan that includes specific objectives, actions, responsibilities, and implementation
timelines. This plan is implemented with regular monitoring and evaluation, allowing for
adaptive management. Effective communication, trust-building, and facilitation techniques are
vital throughout the process to foster cooperation and ensure meaningful participation. The
collaborative planning process aims to create a sense of ownership, shared responsibility, and
commitment among stakeholders, leading to sustainable and locally relevant forest management
outcomes.

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION
Under collaborative planning, participatory decisions are made, which refers to a process where
multiple stakeholders, including local communities, government agencies, NGOs, and other
relevant actors, come together to jointly make decisions regarding the management and
conservation of forest resources. It entails active involvement, engagement, and shared decision-
making power among the stakeholders. Participatory decision-making in CBFM offers benefits,
which are; Increased stakeholder ownership, enhanced decision quality, stakeholders bring
diverse expertise, local knowledge, and different viewpoints, leading to more comprehensive
context-specific solutions. Improved legitimacy and acceptance, sustainable solutions. By
incorporating diverse perspectives, including ecological, social, and economic considerations,
decisions are more likely to be holistic, balanced, and capable of addressing complex challenges.
Conflict Resolution and Social Cohesion, Participatory decision-making provides a platform for
addressing conflicts and resolving disputes among stakeholders. It fosters dialogue, negotiation,
and the development of mutually agreeable solutions, promoting social cohesion and harmony
within the community. Knowledge sharing and learning and, adaptive management.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, CBFM demonstrates the principles of collaboration by embracing inclusiveness,
shared responsibility, transparency, and conflict resolution. By actively involving stakeholders in
decision-making, CBFM harnesses the collective wisdom and resources of diverse actors,
leading to more effective, sustainable, and locally relevant forest management outcomes. This
collaborative approach ensures that decisions are informed, inclusive, and capable of addressing
the complex challenges of forest conservation and livelihood improvement.

REFERENCES
Aheto, D. W., Kankam, S., Okyere, I., Mensah, E., Osman, A., Jonah, F. E., & Mensah, J. C.
(2016). Community-based mangrove forest management: Implications for local livelihoods and
coastal resource conservation along the Volta estuary catchment area of Ghana. Ocean & coastal
management, 127, 43-54.

Ferrer, E., Nozawa, C., 1997. Community-based coastal resource management in the philippines:
key concepts, methods and lessons learned. In: A Paper Presented at the International
Development Research Centre Planning Workshop on Community-based Natural Resource
Management, 12e16 May, Hue, Vietnam.

Kairo, J., Wanjiru, C., Ochiewo, J., 2009. Net Pay: economic analysis of a replanted mangrove
plantation in Kenya. J. Sustain. For. 28 (3), 395e414.

Kankam, S., Aheto, D.W., Okyere, I., 2012. Mangrove planting and marine conservation in
Ghana. In: Torell, E., Tobey, J. (Eds.), Enterprise Strategies for Coastal and Marine
Conservation: a Review of Best Practices and Less