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 Working Group (WG) on Forest Certification, an NGO accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) to promote Forest Certification in Ghana has extended its awareness raising activities to communities fringing the Timber Utilization Areas of Log & Lumber Limited (LLL) and Ayum Forest Products Limited (Ayum) in the Western and Brong Ahafo Regions of Ghana.
This has become possible through the financial support of World Wide Fund for Nature-West African Forest Programme Office (WWF-WAFPO). WWF-WAFPO is implementing a socially focused programme with 7 partner timber companies which are managing almost 50% of forest reserves under timber production in Ghana.
WG has since February 2009 sensitized over 1000 individuals in 16 communities on social responsibility agreement (SRA) and communities’ roles and responsibilities in the implementation of forest certification. WG, in its presentations explains that SRA is to ensure that forest fringed communities benefit from the accrued forest wealth from timber resources on both forest reserves and off-forest reserves for developmental activities determined by the communities themselves. Also, the SRA code of conduct compels forest enterprises to acknowledge local traditions and cultures of communities fringing forest reserves during their operations.
Dr. Ernest A. Abeney, Chairman of the Working Group emphasises that SRAs are for the development of communities fringing the forests regardless of their settlement status. Additionally, the core elements of SRA negotiations such as the community identification and prioritising of development need, formation of SRA committees, and inclusion of District Assembly and Forestry representatives are also explained.
Furthermore, the timber companies’ representatives, present their companies’ activities regarding SRA and forest certification. Ms Gytha Nuno, representing Ayum Forest Products Limited tells participants that Timber Companies have “… all the answers and you [Forest fringe communities] have all the questions,” to signify the need for a common platform towards collaborative effort. Mr. Abdul Moomin, the LLL representative, also emphasizes on the contribution of his company under the SRA in providing wood for construction and firewood for domestic use.
Following presentations are interactive sessions that enable participants to contribute to the discussions as well as ask questions regarding their experiences and views on forest management. Participants after deliberations mutually commit themselves to work together in ensuring forest sustainability for future generations.
WG also distributes two brochures dubbed “Simple facts on Social Responsibility Agreements,” and “Forest Certification and Forest Fringe Communities” to ensure that participants could continue the discussion in their homes and also have a quick reference material for support. Participants include WG staff and Stakeholder representatives, Timber Company representatives, Paramount and sub chiefs of the various fringe communities, District Assembly members, Forest Service Division Officers, plantation managers, opinion leaders and community members.
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