Effects Of Deforestation On Livelihoods Of Forest Fringed Communities In The Awutueffutu- Senya District

ABSTRACT

The main objective of the study was to determine the effects of deforestation on

livelihoods on forest fringed communities along the Yenku and Obotomfo forest reserves

in the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District of the Central Region. These two FRs exhibit

different levels of forest cover.

The study found a high level of livelihood diversification in FFCs along both reserves

with FFCs along the Yenku exhibiting higher standards of living than FFCs along the

Obotomfo. The study found a higher level of capabilities in FFCs along the Obotomfo

whiles levels of assets and asset conversion was not significantly different in FFCs along

the two FRs. However, there was greater level of forest activity in FFCs along the Yenku

leading to a greater level of direct economic benefit form the forest resource than was

present in Obotomfo. .This was regardless of the fact that the Yenku was more depleted

than the Obotomfo. The study therefore concluded that deforestation had actually

improved the economic lives of FFCs along the Yenku whiles an improved forest had

been to the economic detriment of FFCs along the Obotomfo.

The study therefore recommended that other forms of livelihood diversification that are

forest based but sustainable are researched into, eg ecotourism and value addition to

forest products. Also avenues should be created to make better ease of transfer between

and within the three variables of capabilities, assets and activities at FFC level.