Ghana REDD+ Strategy (2016-2035).

The National REDD+ Strategy denotes the suite of interventions that seek to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation whilst incorporating the role of conservation, sustainable forest management and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries. Ghana undertaking REDD+ activities is required to develop a national strategy that clearly articulates measures aimed at addressing the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and other associated issues including land and tree tenure, forest governance, gender and safeguards.
The strategy document is structured along four sections: Section 1: Introduction and Background Ghana’s Vision for REDD+ is to significantly reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation over the next twenty years, whilst at the same time addressing threats that undermine ecosystem services and environmental integrity in order to maximize co-benefits from forests. Section 2: Achieving REDD+ provides an overview of the drivers of deforestation and degradation and an assessment of activities to reduce emissions from forest loss. Forest degradation and deforestation in Ghana are primarily driven by: Agriculture expansion; Logging; Fuel-wood harvesting/charcoal production; Wildfires; Infrastructure development; Mining/sand winning. Section 3: Governance of REDD+ in Ghana outlines the enabling environment and governance arrangement which will support the implementation of REDD+ activities in Ghana. Section 4: Tracking REDD+ describes Ghana’s approach for a full tracking system for monitoring, measuring, reporting and verifying emissions fluxes associated with REDD+ implementation.
The goals set by Ghana for REDD+ implementation are to: 1. Significantly reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation over the next twenty years, while enabling carbon stock enhancement through sustainable forest management and forest restoration strategies such as forest plantation establishment. 2. Preserve Ghana’s forests in order to sustain their ecosystem services, conserve biological diversity, and maintain a cultural heritage for generations to come; 3. Transform Ghana’s major agricultural commodities and Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) into climate-smart production systems and landscapes; 4. Expand platforms for cross-sector and public-private collaboration and sustainable economic development; 5. Generate innovative, substantial and sustainable economic and non-economic incentives and benefits to improve livelihoods across all regions of Ghana. Gender considerations are essential to REDD+ as they have the potential to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of conservation, poverty reduction and climate mitigation efforts. It is therefore imperative to mainstream gender considerations into REDD+ implementation. The principal driving principle is to ensure that both men and women are fully recognized as REDD+ stakeholders and that they have equal access, use and control of forest resources as well as equitable share of associated benefits.
In order to fully realize the vision and goals of REDD+, Ghana has set five key criteria to guide the implementation of REDD+ activities: 1. Economic development —how does the activity contribute to the nation’s development? 2. Environmental sustainability—how does the activity contribute to the sustainable use of Ghana’s forest resources? 3. Measurable—how will the activity be monitored, evaluated and measured? 4. Inclusive—has the activity considered all possible stakeholders and engaged them in the process, with consideration of their rights and potential impacts? 5. Marketable—how will the activity generate revenue and benefits, either through markets, funds, or alternative mechanisms? In pursuing REDD+ in Ghana principles will guide all aspects of planning and implementation, such as: Recognition of the rights of all stakeholders, including land owners, land users, marginalized groups, women and children; REDD+ should maintain and enhance the integrity of Ghana’s forests and its environment in order to safeguard ecosystem services.