Ghana : Indicators

Customary law is recognised in the Constitution of Ghana as subordinate to codified laws. Customary law is respected and even where they are not documented (as it is in most instances), orally transmitted rules and traditions are respected by citizens, forest authorities and timber operators. In addition, the Law gives the landowners the right to give consent to operations within the boundaries of their land.

The Forestry Commission and its partners are expected to respect the taboos and sacred forest norms in their operations and there are terms governing that in the regulations. When timber is felled in those sacred areas, usually the responsible chiefs are involved. Their consent is sought before any activity is carried out. However, in some cases, there are clashes between companies and community members over the authenticity of their permits and rights to exploit resources from the forest.