Ghana releases 2010 Forest Transparency Report

The report used questionnaire data collected from multiple stakeholder groups across six districts in Ghana, using the report card methodology developed and used in 2009. Sources of publicly available forestry information were also assessed.

The Forestry Commission’s failure to produce timely annual reports, and lack of timely published information on disbursement of timber royalties are highlighted as major problems in the legal and policy framework surrounding forest governance. The report also found that public awareness of the EU Voluntary Partnership Agreement on timber legality assurance, and the REDD+ initiative was extremely low, raising concerns for the transparency of these schemes in Ghana.

"The general conditions for improving transparency remain positive in Ghana, but little progress has been made on the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill, and there is consequently no framework to legally require institutions to divulge official information," said Wilberforce Laate, Deputy Executive Director, CIKOD.

The report also raises concerns that no legally recognised mechanisms exist for public participation in decision making processes about forests, although some improvements have been made since 2009. “There is generally lack of leadership and commitment among public officials in Ghana to provide information, or consult and actively engage with forest fringe communities during decision-making processes” stated Laate at the report launch.

Issues with resource allocation transparency, particularly in relation to non-timber forest products and small scale timber utilization permits, are also pervasive. Land tenure and ownership rights were highlighted as another problem area, with complicated land laws and an absence of ownership or forest use maps making land disputes a major problem.

The report does highlight positive changes since the previous, 2009 Report Card, including increased space for public engagement in decision making through ‘forest forums’. In addition, public awareness of Social Responsibility Agreements made between companies and communities and the disbursement of forest royalties has improved.

A number of key recommendations are made, requiring action from a variety of stakeholders. These include the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill by parliament, greater support for communities by District Assemblies and traditional authorities to access their rights to forest royalties, and web-based publication of forestry revenue and permit allocation by the Forestry Commission.

The Annual Report Card methodology is proving to be a robust tool to assess change in forest transparency, and it is hoped that the recommendations made in this report will help contribute to positive changes in the coming year.