THE ROLE OF NON TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS TO RURAL LIVELIHOODS IN THE ASUTIFI NORTH DISTRICT OFTHE BRONG AHAFO REGION, GHANA

Abstract

The study sought to assess ‘The role of Non- Timber Forest Products to rural livelihoods in the Asutifi North district of the Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana. The two broad types of data, the secondary and primary data were used in the study. Questionnaires, Observation and In-depth Interview were used to collect the data. It was found out that; gathering, processing and marketing of NTFPs are major livelihood activities engaged by most residents in the District, contributing to household security. Further findings revealed that the contributionof NTFPs to annual incomeis lowmostlywithinthe bracketof 1 30 GHC, implying that income generated is used to fill a cash fall and not investment into improving household income security. It was also established that indigenous beliefs and practices were modes of NTFPs management systems in the past 20 years ago. Other findings suggest that traditional authorities are least involved in the initiation and acceptance stages of policies and programme in relation to modern management system. Also, NTFPs gathering, processing and marketing depends not only on the availability of resources but also on the ease of access to markets, trade networks and skills acquired. It is also evident that the development of NTFPs and the implementation of sound management are severely restricted due to lack of regular documentation and record keeping of all NTFPs in the district. It was recommended that; there should be the integration of traditional management system into modern management in the management of NTFPs; Capacity building of residents to enhance the extraction of NTFPs. Other recommendations include; Effective policy formulation and management systemandtheneedtoenhanceparticipationinNTFPsbusinesses.