Abstract:
This study to assess the role of governance systems in sustainable forest practices in Ghana using
the experience of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement. It was underpinned by four main
objectives: rationale for Ghana’s ratification and obligations inherent in the Voluntary
Partnership Agreement VPA; the institutional structures for implementing the VPA in Ghana;
VPA enforcement and forest sector trade; and constraints in the VPA enforcement process. The
policy arrangement approach and complexity of joint actions provided the theoretical framework
for the study. The qualitative approach within the interpretivist research paradigm was employed
for the study. Essentially, the VPA was ratified as a way of speeding up good governance
process in the forestry sector of Ghana, promoting sustainable management of forest resources,
enhancing and sustain the trade relationship with the EU. Meeting the requirements of the VPA
has led to the institutionalization of relevant structures and mechanisms within and beyond the
Forestry Commission including the use of technology-enhanced tracking and independent
monitor for counter verifications which helps in detection of illegal wood harvesting. The VPA
together with the established enforcement structures has had far reaching positive implications
on the forest sector which are discussed in the study. The study, however, observed some
challenges which affect the full realization of the expected benefits associated with the VPA. The
study concludes that a policy even if originates from external source is more likely to be
embraced if it does not challenge but feeds into government’s prevalent activities, the legitimacy
of that agreement/policy and enforcement remains higher. Secondly, the VPA is an external
mechanism which has been localized and infused with ongoing projects to provide novel and
innovative mechanisms for supporting Ghana’s desires and quest to manage forests better,
improve peoples’ livelihoods, and protect natural resources. The study makes recommendations
which includes the use of stakeholder consultations and workshops to help to address interagency coordination problem which will help optimize the enforcement of the VPA. |
