Co-Chairs’ Summary: Mole Ecological Landscape, Ghana

The Mole Ecological Landscape Land Use Dialogue was held 14 - 16 May 2019 and addressed livelihood and landscape challenges of the area encompassing Ghana’s largest protected area (Mole National Park). 

Until 2012, the main challenges within the landscape were limited to unsustainable farming practices characterized by slash and burn, over grazing, perennial bush fires and poaching (both off-reserve and on-reserve). However, the significant improvement of roads in the landscape has tremendously increased the scale of these and other similar challenges. Most recently, desire of the valuable Rosewood (Pterocarpus erinaceous) has led to unprecedented illegal felling of this species. Charcoal production which was initially carried out at a small scale, also recorded a massive surge. Without a good monitoring system in place, tonnes of illegally felled trees and charcoal were transported out of the landscape. Reports show this is a continuing trend to date.

Competing land uses have put the landscape at risk. A participatory and integrated approach is a key tool to reconcile the different perceptions and interests, reduce deforestation, reduce conflict and increase land productivity in the region in the pursuit of a sustainable landscape and socio-economic growth.