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Are Modern Institutions effective in the Conservation of the Forest flora of Gbele resource reserve in the upper west region of Ghana?

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Environmental Science-Osmania University, Hyderabad, India
  • 2Department of Botany-Osmania University, Hyderabad, India

Int. Res. J. Environment Sci., Volume 5, Issue (3), Pages 42-53, March,22 (2016)

Abstract

Besides traditional institutions, modern institutions such as Environmental Protection Agency, Forestry Commission, and Ghana National Fire Service are instrumental in diverse ways in trying to conserve the forest flora of Gbele resource reserve in the Upper West region of Ghana. However their efforts are considered as an exercise in futility because they have been ineffective in conserving the Gbele resource reserve. The paper evaluates the effectiveness of the roles of modern institutions in the conservation of the forest flora of Gbele resource reserve. Primary as well as secondary sources of data were resorted to in the study. Besides observation, face to face and key informant interviews for data collection, the study relied on purposive and simple random sampling techniques in the selection of respondents. Apart from content analysis of qualitative data, the study utilized a tool of SPSS known as descriptive statistics for the analysis quantitative data. The study relied on tables and charts for data presentation. The paper reveals that apart from herbs and shrubs, the dominant trees in the Gbele resource reserve are Khaya Senegalensis (African Mahogany), Vitellaria Paradoxa (Shea tree), Adonsonia Digitata (Boabab tree), Parkia Biglobosa (Dawadawa tree), Ceiba Pentandra (Kapok tree), magnifera indica (mango tree), Anacardium Occidentale (cashew tree) and Tectona Grandis (Teak Tree). The paper concludes that modern institutions by means of providing training for forest guards and environmental education on conservation of flora species in the Gbele resource reserve have been ineffective in trying to accomplish the goal of nature conservation. However, it is recommended that, support to modern institutions by Ghana Government should be intensified in order to make their roles effective in conserving the forest flora of Gbele, so as to promote Sustainable Development.

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