An Assessment of the Implications of Deforestation and Climate Change on Rural Livelihood in Ghana: A Multidimensional Analysis and Solution-Based Approach

An Assessment of the Implications of Deforestation and Climate Change on Rural Livelihood in Ghana: A Multidimensional Analysis and Solution-Based Approach | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article An Assessment of the Implications of Deforestation and Climate Change on Rural Livelihood in Ghana: A Multidimensional Analysis and Solution-Based Approach Richard Kwame Adom, Memory Reids, Gbenga Abayomi Afuye, Mulala Danny Simatele This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3991423/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Ghana is endowed with an abundance of natural resources, including vast tracts of natural forest and other vegetation biomes, which serve as livelihood sustenance for a significant number of the population. However, managing these resources sustainably to achieve environmental and economic growth and alleviating poverty remains a significant challenge. Deforestation driven by agriculture, lumbering, mining, infrastructural development, and urban expansion has reduced the forest ecosystems by over 60% over the past three decades. This has threatened the sustainable livelihoods to most of the population, exacerbated by increasing climate irregularity and its devastating consequences. Using data collected through methods inspired by the tradition of quantitative and qualitative research approaches, this paper explores and discusses how the combination of climate change and deforestation, are compromising the livelihood options of poor and vulnerable communities in Ghana. We further argue that the poor are not passive actors but are actively involved in identifying systems and processes through which to build their adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change induced environmental changes. Despite this, we argue that the ability of the poor and vulnerable communities to adapt comprehensively to climate change induced challenges is being hampered by institutional and policy weaknesses as well as a lack of meaningful engagement and collaboration between different and interested stakeholders. In view of this, we argue for an evidence-based and inclusive approaches which will propagate the participation of marginalised and vulnerable groups of people in the design and co-production of solutions in order to develop policies and strategies that are more transformative and towards achieving sustainable communities. These themes have been argued within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly goal number 8. Deforestation climate change adaptation livelihoods and sustainability Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 1. Introduction One of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world today is deforestation (Bologna et al., 2020). Woodlands and forests play a significant role in keeping the Earth’s climate resilient as they act as carbon sinks, slowing down the effects of global warming, whilst contributing to the hydrological cycle, and providing moisture to the atmosphere by transpiration (Lawrence et al., 2022 ). Similarly, forests serve as natural water filters and regulators (Lawrence et al., 2022 ). They assist in maintaining the quality and quantity of freshwater resources, minimise soil erosion, sift pollutants, and regulate water flow (Shah et al., 2022 ). Forests and forest products also serve as sources of livelihood for more than a billion people globally through timber, non-timber products such as nuts, fruits, and resins, as well as fuelwood for cooking and heating, particularly in developing countries (Zhu et al., 2023 ). Globally, forest products and activities generate $ 250 billion annually and sustain innumerable employment activities in local, national, and international economies through tourism, trade and manufacturing (Arce et al. 2019). Therefore, they play a large role in income generation and household food security globally (Amoah et al., 2020). Despite the numerous benefits associated with forests and woodlands, the rate at which forest is disappearing across the globe is alarming (Ritchie et al., 2021). Many scholars, including Lund ( 2018 ), de Oca et al. ( 2021 ), and Brandt et al. ( 2022 ), defined deforestation as the clearing of forestlands for all forms of agriculture and other land uses such as settlement, infrastructure development and mining. Boafo ( 2013 ) also defined deforestation as the conversion of forested land to other uses or a permanent reduction of canopy cover. The author further highlights that the annual rate of global deforestation is around 13 million hectares, occurring mainly in developing countries. The global estimate suggests that just 31% of the world's total land cover is still under forest, with countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Australia, the United States of America, and Bolivia contributing to over 60% of global deforestation (Lawrence et al., 2022 ). Similarly, Ritchie et al. (2021) opined that since 2010, the net loss of global forest has been 4.7 million hectares per annum, an area which is comparable to the size of the United States of America and China combined. Many researchers, commentators, and environmental advocators, such as Prevedello et al. ( 2019 ), Pickering et al. (2019) and Cadman et al. ( 2019 ) attribute deforestation in the world to several complexities of either direct or indirect factors. These range from farming practices, land use and development, to natural factors like weather extremities. Igini ( 2022 ) rated poor farming techniques at 80%, mining at 15%, and infrastructure development and urban expansion at 5% as the direct contributors to global deforestation. Globally, deforestation has extensive and devastating environmental consequences, such as loss of biodiversity, climate uncertainty, distraction from water cycles, and soil erosion (Butler, 2019 ). It has far-reaching social and cultural implications, such as the displacement of indigenous communities and traditions, conflicts over land rights and impacts on health (Eiras-Barca et al., 2019). Economically, deforestation contributes to short-term gains yet long-term costs through reduced agricultural outputs, increased unemployment and declined revenue generation in ecotourism, trade and industries (Arce, 2019). Deforestation in Ghana is indifferent to a global phenomenon in terms of trends, causes and consequences. However, Boafo ( 2013 ) disclosed that 95% of all the deforestation activities in Ghana can be attributed to demographic and economic pressures, policy, and institutional lapses together with increased demand for land for cultivation, fuel wood, illegal logging, mining, infrastructure development and expansion of communities. Kyere-Boateng et al. (2021) highlights that the causes of deforestation in the country varied across the various forest zones. Their results show that deforestation in the Southern regions of Ashanti, Eastern, Western, Brong Ahafo, and Oti is associated with the cultivation of cash crops like cocoa and palm oil, illegal lumbering, and mining operations together with the expansion of settlements, while in the northern region, unsustainable charcoal and firewood production, forest fires and agriculture expansion are among the root causes of deforestation (Boafo, 2013 ). However, natural factors such as hurricanes, fires, parasites, and floods also contribute to some form of deforestation across the country (Amoah et al., 2020). Dokua Sasu ( 2022 ) stated that 2.7 million hectares, over 60% of Ghana's primary forests, have been lost. Based on data analysis within this period, Ghana's annual deforestation rate is approximately 3.51%, equating to yearly losses of greater than 315,000 hectares (ha) and will surpass 4.7 million (ha) by 2030 (Acheampong et a., 2019). The consequences of deforestation in the country are devastating both to the environment and sustainable human wellbeing. The impacts of deforestation have impinged on sustainable livelihoods for both rural and urban dwellers, disrupting important environmental functions and severely destroying forest ecosystems (Afele et al., 2022 ). These include increased climate unpredictability and warming temperature, escalated soil degradation and erosion, extinction of species, and rapid declining in the water levels of rivers and streams (Khodadadi et al., 2021). Deforestation in Ghana presents incredible socioeconomic risks for the country (Akomaning et al., 2023 ). Kyere-Boateng ( 2021 ) postulated that between 1990 and 2021, there have been over 200 reported disasters linked to deforestation, which have resulted in over one hundred thousand deaths and over $ 2 billion in economic losses, which is close to 0,5% of Ghana’s GDP. Chirwa et al. (2020) further enunciated that over 60% of the population, including 53% of women, are employed by the agriculture and forestry sectors; therefore, the indirect cost of deforestation has significantly impacted women and families which amounts to over US $ 400 million, equivalent to 0.7% of 2020 GDP. Literature highlights that forests provide critical ecosystem services that support agricultural production and water generation in water catchment, soil fertility, and non-timber forest product provision. Furthermore, there is a high dependence on forest resources and agriculture across the country for economic development and support for livelihoods. Prior studies such as Boafo ( 2013 ) analysed deforestation's social and economic impacts on livelihoods and the need for policy reforms to address the challenges. Amoah et al. (2020) explore how to use remote sensing techniques to establish the trend of deforestation in Ghana, while Acheampong et al. ( 2019 ) investigated deforestation driven by agriculture expansion in the Ghanaian forest reserves and suggested modification of farming techniques to increase yield. These studies and others have extensively explored socioeconomic issues associated with deforestation, together with governance and advancement in techniques to analyse rate of deforestation. Nonetheless, what is missing in the literature is community-based forest management strategies and adaptation of long-term social and economic implications of deforestation on the economic development of Ghana. Considering these gaps, this paper provides a deeper understanding on the impacts of deforestation and climate change on socioeconomic livelihoods of the poor and rural people in Ghana 2.1. Theoretical perspectives on drivers of deforestation and its impacts on climate change in Ghana The key drivers of deforestation in Ghana include poverty and economic factors that entail legal and illicit logging, clearing trees to expand land for food production, fuel wood extraction and both illicit and legal mining operations (Gyamfi et al., 2021 ). Scholars, which include Afele et al. (2021), Fagariba et al. ( 2018 ) and Teye et al. (2008), argued that deforestation in Ghana is caused by five main broad underlying multiple factors rather than one single variable. These underlying causes are human activities that occur at the local or community level, mostly driven by agricultural expansion to increase food, illicit and legal mining operations, logging and other forest products to cater to the increasing population (Peprah et al., 2022 ). Other factors such as social, demographic, economic, technological, policy institutional and cultural elements also contribute to deforestation activities directly or indirectly in the country. Nyako et al. ( 2023 ) postulate that these factors create a complex and collective system that drives deforestation activities in the country. Fagariba et al. ( 2018 ) state that as the population grows and rural poverty increases, it drives the expansion of agriculture and illicit mining as livelihood strategies coupled with weak land tenure policies and inadequate enforcement cum cultural practices and attitudes advance and shape individuals and community behaviour towards forest which often exacerbate deforestation. Figure 1 summarises the key factors that drive deforestation in Ghana. Experts and environmentalists, such as Pulplampu et al. (2021), linked deforestation in Ghana to expanding cities and towns and establishing new communities and infrastructure development to support growing population and economic growth. These authors disclosed that between 2008 and 2021, urban built developments have expanded from 55–84% at why the expense of the natural environment, including green spaces, which have declined from 41–15% over the same period. Puplampu et al. (2021) argued that forest zones are the major target for infrastructure development. Moreover, these can be linked to the state’s policies to promote oil exploitation, logging concessions or hydropower dam constructions to promote growth and employment have intentionally and unintentionally contributed significantly to deforestation in many regions of the country. The availability of technology, both modern and rudimentary, has affected deforestation. Yilmaz et al. (2019) expand on this, stating that the large-scale clearing of forests and trees for commercial purposes and exports to global markets, while poor, inefficient technologies in the logging industry have also led to an escalation in collateral damages to the forests and surrounding, thus increasing the rate of deforestation in the country. Figure 2 depicts the trends of deforestation in Ghana between 2001 to 2022 Forest crime and corruption have and continue to contribute to deforestation in Ghana (Cozma et al., 2023 ). This has escalated illegal forest practices, detrimental to conservation of forests. Tacconi et al. ( 2019 ) highlight some of these practices, which include authorisation of illegal contracts to private companies by government officers, illicit sale of harvesting licenses, under-declaring volumes of forest products, under-pricing of timber in concessions, invasion of protected land by informal logging and timber-sourcing companies. The authors further state that trafficking of forest products across borders and allowing illegal logging, processing forest raw materials without permits remained serious corrupt tendencies which have and continues to increase deforestation in the country. Whilst illegal forest activities are against the law in Ghana, informal small-scale logging has been made legal in the country under the European Union Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) and Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) in 2009 (Arts et al., 2010). While acknowledging that the FLEGT and VPA programme has achieved some level of success in enhancing consultation and participation of the private sector and civil society in forest governance as well as increasing forest sector transparency (Weisse et al., 2022 ). However, these strategies have failed to nurture deeper forest governance reforms and provide incentives for agents in the sector to engage actively in forest conservation and the cultivation of trees (Weisse et al., 2022 ). Furthermore, it alienated the local communities from owning the forest and reduced them to passive subjects with limited rights to the forest or influence over its management, contributing to the apparent increase in small-scale illegal logging (Kyere-Boateng et al., 2021). These are some of the reasons that have contributed to the exponential trend increases in deforestation activities in the country from 2010, as shown in Fig. 2 . 2.1. The Implication of Deforestation on the Environment and Sustainable Livelihoods in Ghana Deforestation has detrimental impacts on the environment, with far-reaching consequences transcending past national borders (Butler, 2019 ). Like many of the world, deforestation in Ghana has significant implications for the environment and social and economic livelihoods (Amoah et al., 2019). Forests play an important role in the Earth's climate system, mainly as carbon sinks (Brack, 2019 ). Deforestation-induced climatic changes interact with global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions, each potentially worsening the other (Li et al., 2022 ). In Ghana, deforestation has contributed to increases in temperatures and changes in the amount and distribution of rainfall, thus creating unpredictability in climatic conditions (Cudjoe et al., 2021 ). Figure 3 summarises the environmental impacts of deforestation experienced in Ghana. Deforestation bears negative consequences on biodiversity loss in Ghana (Jackson et al., 2020 ), with significant loss experienced in the past five decades (Shivanna, 2022 ). This is largely felt in tropical rainforests, which are particularly important to the country because they provide a habitat for millions of species of organisms (Butler, 2019 ). More than 60% of Ghana is covered by forest, housing about 80% of all animal and plant species (Baidoo et al., 2023). Hence, the loss of these forests through deforestation destroys the genetic diversity of the species that live there (Butler, 2019 ). This loss in genetic diversity has resulted in a decline in the overall health of the ecosystem, as species diversity continues to diminish (Muluneh, 2021). Deforestation also affects the water cycle, as trees assist in regulating the flow of water in the ecosystem, preventing soil erosion and preserving water resources (Wiekenkamp et al., 2019 ). Deforestation has also deprived the land of its cover, exposing a significant portion of the country to extensive wind and rain. This has contributed to soil vulnerability and prone to erosion (Butler, 2019 ). Deforestation also has significant and far-reaching implications on social, economic and political sustenance, particularly for the indigenous and rural communities that depend on forest and forest products for livelihoods. Forests provide the majority of rural communities in Ghana with food, medicines, fuelwood and jobs (Wale et al., 2022 ). Deforestation has resulted in displacements and migration of communities whose livelihoods depend on forests for generations. This has led to a loss of cultural identity and community cohesion and decreased access to resources and land (Pearson et al., 2021 ). Furthermore, the loss of forests has led to a decline in the availability of forest resources such as timber and non-timber forest products, which serve as important sources of livelihood in communities. Similarly, Fagariba et al. ( 2018 ) disclosed that deforestation affects livelihood activities in sectors such as agriculture, mining, wood logging and hunting, which bears direct consequences on employment, food security, income, economic growth and other social aspects such as family cohesion, migrations and cultural identity. The negative impacts on livelihood activities are as a result of unsustainable forest management (Pearson et al., 2021 ). Figure 4 summarises the implications of climate change on sustainable livelihoods. Many of the above-mentioned implications are exacerbated by poor policies and weak regulations and monitoring systems. Therefore, reducing deforestation to improve sustainable livelihoods among the population will require intensive education, awareness creation and effective forest management strategies (Lopez-Carr, 2021 ). 3. Materials and Methodological issues This section dealt with research design, sampling and sample population, data collection and data analysis techniques. 3.1 The study Area The study was carried out in the Ashanti region is in the Southern part of Ghana. It is located between 6°44’49.357’’ N and − 1°31’15.105’ E spanning 24,389 km 2 (9,417 sq mi) in the Kumasi Metropolitan District (Fig. 5 ), with an approximately total population of 4,780,380 inhabit-ants (Khan, 2019). Figure 5 shows the region of Ashanti, the study site. This region was selected as a case study due to a combination of factors that include geographical location, deforestation trends over the past three decades and socioeconomic conditions simultaneously in the entire country. The climatic condition in the region is sub-tropical, with an average rainfall of between 1100 -1800mm, a temperature range of 21 0 to 32 0 C and higher humid conditions. A mosaic of cropland and tree cover dominates the Ashanti region. The Atewa Range Forest Reserve and the Tano-Offin Forest Reserve form the two dominant forest cover in the country (Amponsah et al., 2022). The region is the hub of the country's commercial crops of cocoa, palm trees and other agricultural farming, which are intrinsically linked to deforestation (Appiah et al., 2022). Furthermore, the social and economic dynamics of the region, together with increasing population, the rising cost of energy, poverty and unemployment, significantly influence the use of natural resources, particularly forest and forest products, hence the exponential increases in deforestation in the region (Kyere-Boateng et al., 2021). 3.2. Research design This paper employed a mixed method approach using both quantitative and qualitative techniques to collect data on the level of deforestation in Ghana. In addition, an extensive literature review of material that explores the implications of deforestation on climate change and the social and economic livelihoods of the population as defined by the research questions was carried out. The quantitative method in the form of geographical image analysis vegetation analysis was used to analyse the trend of deforestation in the region between the periods of 2001 and 2021. The approach involved investigating the relationship between demographic patterns in the study region, and its relation to and the rate of deforestation in the region. Therefore, the qualitative approach, conducted through interviews, was employed to evaluate the effects of deforestation on the social and economic livelihoods of the population. Additionally, this method was also used to explore the causes and drivers of deforestation in the region. The study also extensively reviewed literature to assess the effectiveness and applicability of existing policies and regulations aimed at addressing deforestation challenges in both the region and the country. qualitative approach in the form of interviews was applied to appraise the impacts of deforestation on the social and economic livelihoods of the population. The same approach was used to explore the causes and drivers of deforestation in the region. The study also used extensive literature to assess the workability and applicability of the current policies and regulations in place to address the challenges of deforestation in the region and the country. 3.2.1 Remote sensing data - Data Acquisition For the purposes of our study, remote sensing data from MODIS NDVI (MOD 13 Q1) 250m imagery data for the years; 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2020 was downloaded from USGS Earth Explorer ( https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov ) for the analysis. Ashanti boundary shapefile was downloaded from Esri to set the extent of the analysis on the area of interest. The NDVI satellite imagery for the respective study years was clipped using the Ashanti boundary shapefile to narrow down the analysis to the coverage of the study. This was done with the clip option in the geoprocessing tool of ArcGIS. The MODIS NDVI data values range from − 1999 to 10000, and − 2000 is the fill value. Value "- 1999" is assigned to any VI computation between "-1998" and "-10000". To normalize the values, a scale factor of 0.0001 is applied to the pixels by multiplication (Zhu and Woodcock, 2012). The NDVI resulting values were used for further analysis. For the study, the NDVI imageries were classified into four classes with values ranging from – 0.1 to 0 grouped having no vegetation, 0–0.2 as sparse vegetation, 0.2–0.5 as moderate vegetation and 0.6 -1 as dense vegetation being the class containing the trees and forest. The different classes of the imageries were reclassified to unify the range of pixel values within each class (Zhu and Woodcock, 2012), for further processing. The no vegetation class, sparse vegetation class, moderate vegetation and dense vegetation were assigned the values − 1,1,2 and 3 respectively. 4.2. Sampling technique and study population This paper relied significantly on probability in simple random sampling and non-probability in the form of a purposive sampling technique to collect data for the study. Considering the complexities driving deforestation activities in Ghana and its implications on social and economic livelihoods, it was appropriate to solicit views and perspectives from different backgrounds and settings. According to Campbell et al. ( 2020 ), purposive sampling is the intentional selection of informants based on their special knowledge and expertise and the willingness and ability to elucidate a specific theme, concept or phenomenon. This sampling technique was used to select a total of 15 participants for interviews for the qualitative aspect of the study. Based on research questions, the researchers applied judgemental criteria to select and engage in online interviews with a total of seven respondents. These were national and regional employees from the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources, five from the Forestry Commission of Ghana and three community leaders in the Ashanti Region. A simple random sampling was also used in this study to obtain quantitative data by administering a survey. Random sampling is a technique in which each sample has an equal probability of being chosen (Marradi, 2022 ). This author is of the view that the simple random approach seeks to avoid bias in the representation of the total population. This technique was considered because it assisted the researchers in sampling a large pool of respondents for the survey. A total of 1000 respondents were selected from five communities, namely, Konongo, Bekwai, Obuasi, Agogo and Abetifi, all in the Ashanti Region. To achieve the proportional representation of the population based on socioeconomics, the Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling is given by Eq. (1 as follows: P = (C/T) * S (1) where, s was employed to compute the sampling population in each community. In this formula, P is the proportion of the community in the sampled population, C is the community population, T is the total population, and S is the sample size. Using this Eq. (1) for the analysis, the latest statistical information was acquired from StatsGhana (StatsGhana, 2021). The communities identified include Konongo ≈ 41, 238; Bekwai ≈ 7267; Obuasi ≈ 175 043; Agogo ≈ 28 271; and Abetifi ≈ 79726. The computation of the: Konongo (41238/331545 ×1000 = 124); Bekwai (7267/331545 × 1000 = 22); Obuasi (175 043/331545 × 1000 = 528); Agogo (28271/331545 × 1000 = 86) and Abetifi (79726/331545 × 1000 = 240). Nonetheless, it is important to note that the selection of the respondents was conducted via a systematic sampling method in which a respondent were 18 years or older and resided in the community for at least two years. The questionnaires were self-administered with the help of two field assistants who were conversant with the area. 3.5. Data analysis The study adopted aspects of remote sensing and GIS to depict forest cover change in the Ashanti region. Remote sensing data were employed to create vegetation indices (NDVI) that assess various biophysical parameters of green vegetation. These parameters make it is possible to compute terrestrial plant biomass, providing a quantifiable metric for vegetation cover. To quantify the level of deforestation events that have occurred in Ashanti within the periods, the data was used to map the vegetation cover status for the year 2000. As a result, the selected years such as 2001–2005, 2006–2010, 2011–2015, and 2016–2020 of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) themes were used and represent the most consistent temporal gaps captured within the region as shown in Fig. 4 . The grouping of the pixels was carried out because of the need to capture a significant and lucid cover change trajectory considering the response time of landscape transformation to land cover changes (Shawul & Chakma, 2019 and Aspinall et al., 2021). Consequently, the data was extracted and collated for the following years 2001–2005, 2006–2010, 2011–2015, and 2016–2020, a change detection analysis was performed using the intersect geoprocessing method (Bashir & Ahmad, 2017; Rajkumar, 2022). This method was used to determine the pixel level at different changes that had occurred across the landscape over time. Consequently, the results were embedded to produce the change detection analysis for the historical status and the group selection for the four vegetation transitions (Fig. 6 ). Other questionnaire data solicited were also analysed using descriptive statistics of SPSS Windows Version 21. This technique was used to analyse the demographic characteristics of the respondents, as well as the socioeconomic status of households and the XXX implications of deforestation on livelihoods. The SPSS software also assisted the research team in capturing the data analysed and produced frequency tables, graphs and diagrams that ensured quick interpretations and easy data comprehension. The qualitative data obtained from the interviews and the literature review were analysed using the thematic analysis method. Thematic analysis is the skill of scrutinising qualitative data that includes probing through the data to identify themes or key messages of interviewees (Kiger & Vanpio 2020). This approach assisted the researchers in sorting and grouping data based on themes for interpretation and discussion. 4. Empirical Evidence and Analysis of Results The analysis of this paper was carried out based on the set-out objectives of the study which includes the causes and drivers of deforestation, the implication of deforestation on social and economic livelihoods and strategies for minimising forest loss in the Ashanti region of Ghana. The empirical evidence and analysis were computed by Eq. ( 2 ). $$\sigma = \sqrt{\frac{\sum I{{\rm X}}_{1 } - \mu {I}^{2} }{N}}$$ 2 In this formula, σ is the standard deviation, x 1 , µ is the mean, and N is the total number of respondents 4.2. Demographic and socioeconomic status of respondents This paper explores the socioeconomic and demographic factors to understand the underlying drivers of deforestation in the Ashanti Region and Ghana. The computation was done using the formula above. Table 1 reflects the demographic and socio-economic information of the respondents Table 1 Demographic and socioeconomic background of respondents Variables Frequency Per. (%) Mean (SD) Mean per. (%) Standard Deviation Standard Error Gender Female 300 30 250 12% 0.67 0.14 Male 700 70 250 28% 0.28 0.02 Age : 18–30 years 240 24 100 24% 0.17 0.12 31–40 years 340 34 100 24% 0.41 0.01 41–50 years 170 17 100 17% 0.18 0.08 51–60 years 144 14 100 14% 0.39 0.05 60 + years 106 11 100 11% 0.90 0.22 Educational levels No formal education 115 16 250 6% 0.93 0.08 Secondary level 540 54 250 22% 0.54 0.20 Bachelor degree 250 25 250 10% 0.65 0.45 Postgraduate 95 10 250 4% 0.98 1.12 Marital status Single 210 21 125 17% 0.19 0.01 Married 560 56 125 45% 0.55 0.03 Divorced 150 15 125 12% 0.67 0.29 Not disclosed 80 08 125 6% 1.02 0.16 Employment status Employed 214 24 125 19% 0.17 0.12 Self-employed 336 34 125 27% 0.26 0.02 Unemployed 420 42 125 24% 0.49 0.03 Seasonally employed 10 01 125 0.8% 1.25 0.56 Nature of employment Cash crop production 273 27 143 19% 0.296 0.13 Subsistent farming 260 26 143 18% 0.184 0.14 Mining sector 146 15 143 10% 0.187 0.23 Logging/pit sawyers 201 20 143 14% 0.185 0.13 Charcoal producers 90 09 143 06% 1.040 0.67 Forest rangers 20 02 143 01% 2.034 0.78 Others 10 01 143 01% 5.235 0.88 Source Field survey by the researcher team From the survey of 1000 respondents, 700, equating 70%, were males compared to 300 or 30% were females. The majority, 340 (34%) of the population, were between the ages of 31 and 40 years; this was followed by the ages of 18 to 30, constituting 24%, and the majority, 54% of the respondents, finished secondary and bachelor’s degrees. Most of the respondents (56%) were married, 21% were single, and 15 were divorced. One of the most striking findings showed that 42% of the respondents were unemployed, followed by 34% self-employed and 24% employed. The outcome of the survey further shows that 27% of the respondents were involved in cash crop production such as cocoa and palm trees; this is immediately followed by subsistent farmers of 26%, logging pit sawyers came out next at 20% while mining both small-scale and large scale were mentioned by 15% of the total respondents. 4.2.1. Spatial Trend Analysis of deforestation in Ashanti Region Understanding the deforestation trends in the Ashanti Region and Ghana forms one of the key objectives of the research. This was achieved using the statistics of forest loss in the region between 2000 and 2020 together with Geographical Information Systems software. The deforestation status for the year 2000 in the region is depicted in Fig. 5 a. The vegetation cover status at the beginning of the millennium shows that the year 2000 experienced dense to moderate vegetation cover during that period. Accordingly, the year witnessed moderate vegetation in the northeastern and southeastern parts with most of the sparse vegetation dominated in the central and southern regions. No vegetation was witnessed towards the central and Southeastern parts of the study area, which connotes that this area might depict bare land, built-up and/or urban area. The dense vegetation dominated almost the entire area during the year 2000, with most concentration on the Southwestern parts of the Ashanti region as shown in Fig. 5 a. The vegetation cover change might be linked to the improvements in vegetation cover by the government which was fully undertaken in Ashanti because the issues with the land use/ land cover change and over-cultivation were still at an early stage. This development put in place by the provincial government might have influenced the vegetation condition, particularly for the year 2000. Consequently, this phenomenon coincides with the sustainable development goal SDG 15 (Life on Land): to preserve, restore and promote sustainable practices and the use of the terrestrial environment (Liu et al., 2019 ; Schillaci et al., 2023 ). Figure 5 b shows the deforestation trend of the Ashanti Region from 2000 to 2020. The trend of deforestation between 2001 to 2005 shows dense to moderate vegetation towards the central and southern parts Ashanti region. The region in the northeastern parts was dominated by sparse vegetation to no vegetation was observed in the area. This may be the result of moderated land use and land cover change associated with human disturbances such as logging, mining activities and urbanization being put under more stringent regulations and guidelines (Emenike et al., 2020). From 2006 to 2010, the area witnessed dense to dense vegetation towards the central, southeastern, and western parts Ashanti region while the northeastern part was dominated by less dense vegetation. The central part witnessed moderate to sparse vegetation and sparse to no vegetation was identified in the southeastern area attributed to slight development that might have contributed to the observed trend dynamics as shown in Fig. 5 b. The years 2011 to 2015 experienced dense to moderate in the southwestern parts while the southeastern areas were observed with sparse to no vegetation change. The development may be subject to the effects of arable farming, demographic pressure on land use change and infrastructural development (Koranteng & Zawila-Niedzwiecki, 2015; Acheampong et al., 2019 ). The forest transformation to other land could have impacted the soil structure associated with tree loss and forest cover change that occurred from dense vegetation to sparse in the region (Wang et al., 2020 ). The deforestation trend shows that the northeastern area was dominated by dense to sparse vegetation and sparse to no vegetation towards the eastern areas. The observed trend of deforestation between 2016 and 2020 shows dense to moderate vegetation change in the central and southern regions while the northeastern and western areas were dominated by sparse to no vegetation. The southeastern part was dominant with no vegetation as opposed to the previous years because land use and land cover change exert significant influence on forest cover change. In previous years, the dense to sparse vegetation in the central area was observed and consistent in the past decade. 4.2.2. Proximate causes of deforestation In line with the study's first objective, this paper probed into the key drivers of deforestation in the region. Respondents were asked to identify the main causes of deforestation in their communities. Figure 8 a reflects the responses of the respondents. The majority of the respondents, 20%, mentioned agricultural expansion and logging and timber industry as the main and immediate causes of deforestation in their communities; this was followed by fuelwood and charcoal producers at 14%, illegal chainsaw operations and mining activities were mentioned by 13% and 10% respectively. This statistical breakdown was reinvigorated by a community leader who was engaged in an interview. This interviewee posited that: "the enticements and the drive by government to farmers to go into large scale production of cocoa, palm and rubber have contributed to the clearing of large portions of forests to make space for the cultivation of these products. This interviewee further said it is cheaper to buy forest land and turn it into farmland in the Ashanti Region than to invest in existing farmland to improve productivity and longevity." Another interviewee from the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources shared a similar perspective. This interviewee stated in an interview that: "large scale and illegal logging activities for sawmill industries and other purposes are the main and primary contributor to deforestation in the country and Ashanti Region in particular. According to this interviewee, logging operations employ clear-cutting; in some instances, entire sections of forest are completely cleared off. These practices have resulted in massive deforestation in the region." Apart from the proximate causes, the study probed further into the underlying drivers of deforestation in the region. Respondents were asked to identify the root causes of forest loss in their communities. Figure 8 b displays the answers of the respondents. Most of the respondents (30%), attribute limited and no alternative to livelihood opportunities in their communities as the key driver to deforestation. This is followed by pervasive poverty; this factor was mentioned by 26% of the respondents. A number of respondents, 11% and 10% respectively, associated weak regulations, inadequate enforcement, and corruption among government officials as underlying drivers of deforestation in communities in the country and the region. Some interviewees buttressed these statistical outcomes. An employee from the Forestry Commission in Ghana said this during an interview: "most of the rural or local communities in Ghana and Ashanti Region lack any other source of income for sustaining themselves and their families besides clearing the forest or logging by legal or illicit means. This dependency on forest-related sustenance has contributed substantially to unsustainable deforestation." Another employee from the Regional Ministry of Land and Natural Resources expressed similar sentiments: "the majority of the population in rural communities in the country are poor and have no alternative livelihoods; they rely mainly on forest resources for sustenance such as charcoal production, cutting of trees for fuelwood, hunting and gathering, illegal mining activities, illicit logging and subsistence in the form of slashing and burning. These collective activities contribute to deforestation as forests are overly exploited". An Environmentalist and an Advocator based in one of the communities expressed this during an interview: there is lack of transparency in the Ghana forestry sector and this is contributing significantly to deforestation in all the regions in the country. This interviewee stressed that the opaque practices in the logging permits, land concessions and timber harvesting have contributed to illegal and unsustainable deforestation. The lack of transparency has hindered any effort to enforce regulations and sustainable forest management in the country. A common perspective cutting across most of the respondents suggests that favourable markets for forest products from both domestic and global, weak regulations on forestry, lack of awareness and complications of the land tenure system have collectively contributed to the escalation of deforestation in the region and Ghana. 4.3. Implication of Deforestation on the environment, social and economic livelihoods This paper evaluated the implications of deforestation on the livelihoods of the population. Respondents were asked to link the implications against a particular variable using a set of variables, with responses presented in Table 2 . The following equation was used to compile the ranking: [0 < × × × < 500 (Major implications); 501 < /= 1000 (Very severe implications)]. Table 2 depicts the impacts of deforestation on the environment and livelihoods Table 2Implications of Deforestation on sustainable livelihoods (Research team, 2023) Source: Field survey by Researchers Most of the respondents classified the twelve implications as either major or very severe implications on sustainable livelihoods. For instance, 62% of the respondents are of the view that deforestation has contributed to the loss of jobs and unemployment, escalating poverty in the region and the country. Similarly, 69% mentioned that their health, water and food security have been compromised due to high levels of deforestation. Interviews with some respondents buttressed the statistical breakdown. An interview with a community leader stated that: "our livelihoods depend on timber, non-forest products, ecotourism and the hospitality industry. The decline in forest in our communities reduced attractions, limits the supply of timber which adversely affects employment for loggers, sawmill workers and other industry." The underlying views emanating from most interviewees suggest that deforestation in the region is multifaceted. Deforestation disrupts the water cycle, which compromises water quality and quantity, leading to the outbreak of diseases; it also disrupts the ecosystem and biodiversity, reducing agricultural production, food insecurity, environmental concern, and human well-being. 4.4. Mitigation strategies for deforestation in Ashanti Region and Ghana Considering the seriousness and devastation implications of deforestation on the population's livelihoods, this paper explored strategies for mitigating the spread of deforestation in the Ashanti Region. Respondents were asked to pick their preferred strategies for addressing deforestation challenges from a set of variables. Using a "Likert scale", we calculated and classified respondents' answers under the following variables: "Priority, Important Priority and Very Important Priority". Under this formula, we use a normal and ordering approach of ( greater than; ≤ less or equal to ≠ not equal to; ≥ greater or equal to and x to equate numbers within a range) to calculate the answers provider. In this equation, responses were compiled as: [0 ≤ x ≤ 100 equal to "Long Perm Priority"; 101 ≤ x ≤ 500 equate to "Medium Term Priority" and 501 ≤ x ≤ 1000 represent "Immediate/Urgent Priority"]. The responses are depicted in Fig. 9 . Respondents classified legal reforms, sustainable logging reforestation and afforestation, as well as community-based forestry, as immediate or urgent priorities that need to be enforced if the region and the country are to address the challenges of deforestation. These were followed by promoting protected areas, encouraging alternative livelihoods, monitoring and surveillance and promoting education and awareness campaigns as medium-term priorities required in solving deforestation challenges. Other respondents grouped international cooperation, sustainable agriculture, research and innovation, and financial incentives as long-term objectives to be followed to solve the deforestation problems in the country. These views were validated during interviews with some of the respondents. For instance, an interview with the director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources posited that: "legal reforms and strengthening existing laws such as land tenure rights, regulating logging and mining, encouraging community-based forest management, conducting effective environmental impact assessment, improving forest monitoring with technology, harsh penalties for offenders and corrupt officials and well collaborating with neighbouring and international agreements will go a long way to minimise deforestation activities in the region and the country". During an interview, an employee expressed a similar sentiment at the Forestry Commission of Ghana. This interviewee stated that: "addressing deforestation activities in Ghana will require a holistic approach that embraces restructurings legal and regulations on forest management, responsible logging, community engagement, forest certification, corporate accountability, global cooperation as well as sustainable agricultural practices". A conservationist and Forester in the Ministry of Lands and Forestry said this in an interview: "to slow the effect of climate change, conserve biodiversity and impact the sustainable development goals, replanting and reforestation are critical. He stated that restored forests store carbon within the forest's soil, shrubs and trees. Mixed forests, for instance, are especially effective at carbon storage, as different species with complementary traits increase overall carbon storage." A common and underlying feedback emanating from the interviewees suggests that proactive and integrated strategies of robust legal regulations, active community involvement and ownership of forests, political will, and active educational and awareness campaigns will reverse the country's deforestation trend. 5. Discussion The discussion of this paper is structured and sequenced to build a holistic understanding of the drivers and trends of deforestation and its implications on the environment and social and economic livelihoods in Ghana. 5.1. Drivers and Deforestation Trends in Ashanti, Ghana The findings of this paper confirmed the views of many scholars, researchers and commentators, such as Koranteng et al. (2015), Welsink ( 2020 ), and Wimberly et al. ( 2022 ) that deforestation trends in the Ashanti Region have varied since the 1950s, however, a significant forest loss has occurred between 2001 and 2021. The geospatial analysis of the region suggests that since 2001, the region has experienced fluctuating trends in deforestation, at an astounding yearly rate of forest loss which has increased over the study period. Similar findings are expressed by Wimberley et al. (2022), who noted that from 1990 to 2000, the rate of forest cover loss in the Ashanti Region was 3%; between 2001 to 2010, the rate was 2.6% and 1.5% and 2.5% between 2010 and 2020. This paper identified two main drivers as the main anthropogenic causes of deforestation. These include proximate or immediate causes and underlying factors. Agriculture expansion, logging and timber extraction, fuelwood and charcoal production, illegal chainsaw operations, infrastructure development, and traditional and cultural practices are the region's proximate or immediate causes of deforestation activities. These findings are also shared by Andoh et al. (2018) that the proximate or direct causes of deforestation in Ghana and particularly the Ashanti Region are due to the expansion of agriculture, particularly for cash crops such as cocoa, palm trees and rubber plantations, as well as unsustainable logging activities, illegal mining operations (galamsey), fuelwood and charcoal burning, infrastructure development and expansion and creation of new settlements, all these activities involve the clearing of forests. Region. The outcomes of the study Fig. 8 a suggest that the underlying drivers play a significant role in sustaining the proximate causes. Furthermore, it revealed that social, economic and political factors such as limited livelihoods alternatives, high levels of poverty, weak regulations and governance, corruption, land tenure systems, favourable market conditions internationally, as well as lack of education and awareness among the population, create favourable environment for logging and deforestation to flourish. Similar outcomes are also expressed by Kyere-Boateng et al. (2021) that while proximate causes of deforestation, such as agricultural expansion, logging, infrastructure development, fuelwood and charcoal production, as well as mining, are easily noticeable as direct causes of forest loss in the region, nonetheless, underlying drivers such as economic pressures, cultural circumstances, political factors play indirect but prominent roles in driving and expanding deforestation in the region and the country as whole. A similar expression was expounded by Kissinger et al. (2012) that while socioeconomic factors are at play, bureaucratic licensing regimes, weak governance and weak legal framework, political and traditional leadership failures, corrupt officials, population growth and global market forces, mutually contribute to deforestation, thereby resulting in direct loss of forest cover, thus creating environmental challenges. 5.2. Implications of deforestation on sustainable livelihoods In terms of deforestation on the environment and sustainable livelihoods, strong correlations were identified as adverse impacts of deforestation on the environment and livelihoods of the population. Findings from Table 2 deforestation has negatively impacted the environment in terms of loss of biodiversity, expansion of soil erosion, modification of climatic conditions, and reduction of water and air quality. These were similar views expressed by Nyako et al. ( 2023 ) that deforestation in the Ashanti Region and Ghana has severe environmental implications, including loss of biodiversity linked to the destruction of natural habitats, emission of stored carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere contributing climate change, expansion of soil erosion and leaching. Other detriments mentioned by these authors, which support our findings and uncovered that deforestation has altered the region's water cycle, resulting in reduced water availability and quality. It has also contributed to the declining air quality, particularly in urban communities and increasingly harming watersheds, resulting in high and repeated trends of vulnerabilities such as flooding, droughts and bushfires. The findings of this paper concurred with many commentators and researchers, such as Fagariba et al. ( 2018 ), Acheampong et al. ( 2019 ), and Siregar et al. ( 2023 ), that deforestation has far-reaching implications on economic livelihoods in the Ashanti Region. This is well depicted in the study that the underlying findings in the table suggest that forest loss has contributed to the loss of jobs and employment opportunities, reduction in ecotourism destinations, reduction in agricultural production and decrease in revenue for timber and non-forest products. The key findings in Table 2 suggest that the Ashanti Region and Ghana's economy depend significantly on agriculture, timber and other forest products; therefore, the loss of forest directly affects the population's employment, incomes and other livelihood activities. Furthermore, forests in the region serve as the main attraction for tourists due to their biodiversity nature. Therefore, the extinction of forest has reduced the appetite of tourists in the region, negatively affecting the hospitality and tourism sector leading to reduced employment opportunities and the revenue of the businesses. These findings are also shared by Yahaya et al. ( 2022 ) that the escalation of deforestation in the region has contributed to significant job losses in hospitality, travel and service industries craftwork in the local economies. Key findings also uncovered the social implications of deforestation on the population. These include increasing levels of displacement and migration, threats to health, water and food security, loss of traditions and cultural knowledge associated with forest and escalation of conflicts and gangs in forest communities. Boafo ( 2013 ), Asamoah et al. (2023), and Baffour et al. (2021) also reported that deforestation has contributed significantly to the loss of conventional livelihoods among the population, leading to forced migration, particularly among the youth, threatening water and food security, health complications and escalation of conflicts as well as vigilantism and gangs. The underlying findings of this paper suggest that the environmental, economic, and social implications have collectively contributed significantly to jeopardising the well-being and stability of communities in the region and the country as a whole. 5.3. Intervention strategies in mitigating deforestation This paper explored extensively strategies required to address deforestation challenges in the region and the country. The findings recognised that mitigating the problems of deforestation will require the amalgamation of immediate or short-term to long-term strategies, as illustrated in Fig. 8 . The overwhelming views emanating from the findings in Fig. 8 as well as some commentators such as Hansen et al. (2022) and Arts et al. (2010) suggest that the region must embark on legal reforms, sustainable logging practices, reforestation and afforestation as well as promoting community-based forestry and ownership as immediate, urgent or short-term strategies to address the challenges of deforestation. Our views and observations suggest that current legislation and policies governing forest management in the country are neo-liberal, top-down and government-centre approaches with little or no regards for and interests of farmers, landowners, communities, traditional authorities and other stakeholders in forest governance and administration. Furthermore, the legislation and policies lack a clear direction on sustainable logging, reforestation and afforestation programmes needed to sustain the forest resources. Addressing these constraints will require comprehensive policy and legal reforms that prioritise the strengthening forest governance and law enforcement, promoting sustainable logging activities and completely banning illegal and chainsaw activities, promoting conservation and protected areas and biodiversity, encouraging community-based forest management, promoting public education awareness, incentivise reforestation and afforestation efforts while promoting robust and technological monitoring systems as well as fostering international cooperation in combating deforestation. These findings are similar to den Besten et al. (2018) framework of strategies to mitigate deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) in developing countries including Ghana. The underlying views of the figure underscore that no single stakeholder can eliminate deforestation activities in the country. Collaboration between government agencies, the private sector particularly the sawmilling companies and local communities is paramount important to effective surveillance and monitoring. 6. Conclusion and recommendations This paper established that deforestation in Ghana, particularly the Ashanti region is driven by lingering and interlinking of social, economic, political and cultural factors with multifaceted implications on the livelihoods of the population. These implications include loss of biodiversity, climate change, soil erosion, food insecurity and loss of livelihoods. Spatial trends analysis of deforestation in the Ashanti region depicts variations in trends from 2000 to 2020. Consequently, the start of the millennium of 2000 experienced dense to moderate vegetation cover while subsequent years witnessed a consistent decline in tree cover loss and forest cover. The results show that much of these changes were observed in the northeastern and western parts between 2011 to 2015, suggesting the potential role of atmospheric variations and human-induced land degradations in the Ashanti region in increasing the rate of deforestation. Overall, the results from the spatiotemporal patterns of seasonal variation and dynamics depict a consistent decline in the quality of tree cover from dense vegetation to moderate from 2001 to 2010 considering the response time of landscape transformation to land cover changes. Consequently, the forest transformation between 2011 and 2020 revealed a drastic decline from moderate to sparse vegetation in the quality of green vegetation conditions. Although numerous strategies and regulations have been instituted by the government, regional and traditional authorities to curtail the problem contrarily, the trends of forest loss are rather on the ascendency. These are due to the silo nature at which forests are managed in the country, lack of community-driven strategies, inadequate involvement of key stakeholders, prevalence of corruption among government representatives and community leaders, excruciating poverty and lack of alternatives to forest resources. Addressing these challenges will require an integrated and holistic approach that encompasses addressing poverty, sustainable land use and forest management, formulating innovative policies, reinforcing the existing legislation and the by-laws, and improving forest governance. Furthermore, economic rewards or compensations for communities and households' engaging in conservation, reforestation and afforestation practices and regularising and transforming the current land tenure and ownership laws are prioritised. Additionally, awareness and educational campaigns among grassroots and educational institutions and international organisations on forest protection must be strengthened without overlooking the population's social, economic and livelihood needs. Technology also has a role to play – satellite imagery and drones will save time and resources in this fight. These proactive and multifaceted strategies can only be achieved through effective collaboration between governments, local communities, the private sector and international cooperation. Declarations Conflict of Interest The authors of this paper declared that there is no conflict of interest in writing this manuscript. Funding Declaration We, the authors of this paper, owe a debt of gratitude to the NRF's Global Change Grand Challenges, under the funding instrument, 'Global Change Social Sciences Research Programme, Grant No. 129481, for granting us the necessary resources to write this paper. Data Availability Statement The data supporting the finding of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy and ethical restriction. Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate The data supporting the finding of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy and ethical restriction. Authors Contribution Adom, RK., Collected the data and wrote the main manuscripts; Reids, M., Reviewed and edited the manuscript, Afuye, GA., Analysed and interpreted the data and draw graphs and tables of the manuscript, Simatele, MD., Provided critical feedback and guidance throughout the manuscript. References Acheampong, E. O., Macgregor, C. J., Sloan, S., & Sayer, J. (2019). Deforestation is driven by agricultural expansion in Ghana's forest reserves. Scientific African, 5 (2019), 3-6. Adom, R. K., Simatele, M. D., Das, D. K., & Mukalazi, K. A. (2023). 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How much forest was lost in 2022? Tropical primary forest loss worsened in 2022, despite international commitments to end desforestation. World Resources Institute. Welsink, A. (2020). Deforestation in southwest Ghana 2001 - 2015: Direct drivers, the size of clearing and emerging hotspots. Wageningen University and Research Centre. Wiekenkamp, I., Huisman, J. A., & Bogena, H. R. (2019). Effects of deforestation on water flow in the Vadose Zone. Water, 12 (1), 3-12. Wimberly, M. C., Dwomoh, F. K., Numata, I., Mensah, F., Amoako, J., & Nekorchuk, D. M. (2022). Historical trends of tropical forest reserves of Ghana. International Journal of Digital Earth, 15 (1), 44-48. Yahaya, A., Akanga, S., & Abdullah, A. (2022). Sustainable eco-tourism in Ghana: An assessment of environmental and economic impacts in selected sites in the Upper East Region. Journal of Geography and Regional Planning, 15 (2), 18-30. Yilmaz, R., & Koyuncu, C. (2019). The impacts of ICT penetration on deforestation: A panel data evidence. Review of Economic Perspectives, 19 (4), 345-364. Zhu, Zhe, and Curtis E. Woodcock. "Object-based cloud and cloud shadow detection in Landsat imagery." Remote sensing of environment 118 (2012): 83-94. Zhu, L., Li, W., Ciais, P., He, J., Cescatti, A., & Santoro, M. (2023). Comparable biophysical and biogeochemical feedbacks on warning from tropical moist forest degradation. Nature Geoscience, 16 (2023), 244-249. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-3991423","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":281476087,"identity":"bd76ae13-b8b5-43fd-a96b-3014d98f729d","order_by":0,"name":"Richard Kwame Adom","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA70lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACZgY2MAkGCRUgNnMDCVoenAGxGQloYUDSwviwDUzh12Lezvzswc891rIbjp9OfJA4rzaavx2o5UfFNpxaZA6zmRv2PEs33nAmd7NB4rbjuTMOMzYw9py5jVOLBDMPmwTPgcOJGw7kbpNI3HYstwGohZmxDb8WyT8gLeffbv+ROOdY7nxitEiDbbmRu40hsaEmdwNhLWxm0jIH0o1n3ni7WSLh2IHcjUAtB/H6hf/wM8k3B6xl+87nbvz4o6Yud975wwcf/KjArQUGYHFxGEweIKgeSUsdMYpHwSgYBaNghAEARrZfeuuRS4oAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"University of Witwatersrand","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Richard","middleName":"Kwame","lastName":"Adom","suffix":""},{"id":281476088,"identity":"75a2394a-2bd2-4a77-ab95-70c66fc132f0","order_by":1,"name":"Memory Reids","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Witwatersrand","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Memory","middleName":"","lastName":"Reids","suffix":""},{"id":281476089,"identity":"87e6d397-f0c0-47ef-886d-44244c98231f","order_by":2,"name":"Gbenga Abayomi Afuye","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Fort Hare","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Gbenga","middleName":"Abayomi","lastName":"Afuye","suffix":""},{"id":281476090,"identity":"90ff2687-9793-40c9-a44b-f478a68273d4","order_by":3,"name":"Mulala Danny Simatele","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Witwatersrand","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mulala","middleName":"Danny","lastName":"Simatele","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-02-26 16:14:30","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3991423/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3991423/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":53171933,"identity":"ee950036-2aa0-470f-80fd-60be4ea94d3f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-03-21 13:27:26","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":141567,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThe underlying causes of deforestation in Ghana. \u003cstrong\u003eSource: \u003c/strong\u003eCaroline Sartorato Silva França.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3991423/v1/d862ca179b5f85f36e355eb6.png"},{"id":53171935,"identity":"9c3ace53-be4d-4b77-a199-fabdaa3c2fc3","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-03-21 13:27:27","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":16650,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eTrends of deforestation in Ghana between 2001 to 2022. \u003cstrong\u003eSource: \u003c/strong\u003eForestry Commission of Ghana\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3991423/v1/dbe577b16824310248f4d693.png"},{"id":53171931,"identity":"f55e0e43-85bf-437e-9a74-6d9b2eb4762b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-03-21 13:27:25","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":408173,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eEnvironmental implications of deforestation in Ghana. \u003cstrong\u003eSource: \u003c/strong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://prepp.in/author/896-patil-amruta\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePatil Amruta\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c/strong\u003ecollection on deforestation.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3991423/v1/8d67b838f55b88d8015ba8ea.png"},{"id":53172333,"identity":"0b34da2c-f78c-4dcd-8055-ae6be95df544","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-03-21 13:35:27","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":125709,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eImplications of deforestation on livelihoods in Ghana. \u003cstrong\u003eSource:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3991423/v1/39555f89749f1fbb1c8a7294.png"},{"id":53171936,"identity":"f133e060-0cdc-49cd-bbdf-3c1f4871b08b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-03-21 13:27:27","extension":"png","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":235915,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThe map of the study area. \u003cstrong\u003eSource: \u003c/strong\u003eCartography Unit, University of the Witwatersrand\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c/strong\u003e(2023)\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3991423/v1/83089c70aaab13b42eadcd39.png"},{"id":53171938,"identity":"3ef4684e-6260-4fdd-a282-f4278a6f6f8c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-03-21 13:27:27","extension":"png","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":51383,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eWork flow of the methodology\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"6.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3991423/v1/51ac2fe2b71d64a074a75e8a.png"},{"id":53171941,"identity":"f6120c3a-3a74-42f2-b736-9778f9c1ef94","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-03-21 13:27:28","extension":"png","order_by":7,"title":"Figure 7","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":603655,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ea: \u003c/strong\u003eDeforestation status of Ashanti Region in 2000\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eb. Deforestation trend of the Ashanti Region between 2000 to 2020\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"7.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3991423/v1/4d48586f20db0f147a24a73e.png"},{"id":53171939,"identity":"de9323bd-e461-41f0-9364-2947b96f3645","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-03-21 13:27:27","extension":"png","order_by":8,"title":"Figure 8","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":33378,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ea. \u003c/strong\u003eDrivers of deforestation in the Ashanti Region. \u003cstrong\u003eSource:\u003c/strong\u003eField survey by Researchers\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eb.\u003c/strong\u003e The underlying drivers of deforestation \u003cstrong\u003eSource:\u003c/strong\u003eField survey by Researchers\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"8.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3991423/v1/ba442d348ad45f8609c0f19a.png"},{"id":53171942,"identity":"1181cff6-c1bf-4217-942f-ad43120bc21e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-03-21 13:27:28","extension":"png","order_by":9,"title":"Figure 9","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":82900,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eCategorisation of mitigation strategies for deforestation. \u003cstrong\u003eSources\u003c/strong\u003e: Field survey by the Research team\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"9.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3991423/v1/9dde243debcb5855dfe1a0ce.png"},{"id":53313183,"identity":"c02a9e48-eab6-4654-90d7-0847b64280b7","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-03-23 15:55:53","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2285430,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-3991423/v1/46b2932b-5ad3-40a9-8a70-72d38d127011.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"An Assessment of the Implications of Deforestation and Climate Change on Rural Livelihood in Ghana: A Multidimensional Analysis and Solution-Based Approach","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world today is deforestation (Bologna et al., 2020). Woodlands and forests play a significant role in keeping the Earth\u0026rsquo;s climate resilient as they act as carbon sinks, slowing down the effects of global warming, whilst contributing to the hydrological cycle, and providing moisture to the atmosphere by transpiration (Lawrence et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Similarly, forests serve as natural water filters and regulators (Lawrence et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). They assist in maintaining the quality and quantity of freshwater resources, minimise soil erosion, sift pollutants, and regulate water flow (Shah et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR60\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Forests and forest products also serve as sources of livelihood for more than a billion people globally through timber, non-timber products such as nuts, fruits, and resins, as well as fuelwood for cooking and heating, particularly in developing countries (Zhu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR76\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Globally, forest products and activities generate \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e250\u0026nbsp;billion annually and sustain innumerable employment activities in local, national, and international economies through tourism, trade and manufacturing (Arce et al. 2019). Therefore, they play a large role in income generation and household food security globally (Amoah et al., 2020).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite the numerous benefits associated with forests and woodlands, the rate at which forest is disappearing across the globe is alarming (Ritchie et al., 2021). Many scholars, including Lund (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR42\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e), de Oca et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e), and Brandt et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e), defined deforestation as the clearing of forestlands for all forms of agriculture and other land uses such as settlement, infrastructure development and mining. Boafo (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e) also defined deforestation as the conversion of forested land to other uses or a permanent reduction of canopy cover. The author further highlights that the annual rate of global deforestation is around 13\u0026nbsp;million hectares, occurring mainly in developing countries. The global estimate suggests that just 31% of the world's total land cover is still under forest, with countries such as Brazil, Indonesia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Australia, the United States of America, and Bolivia contributing to over 60% of global deforestation (Lawrence et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Similarly, Ritchie et al. (2021) opined that since 2010, the net loss of global forest has been 4.7\u0026nbsp;million hectares per annum, an area which is comparable to the size of the United States of America and China combined. Many researchers, commentators, and environmental advocators, such as Prevedello et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR53\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e), Pickering et al. (2019) and Cadman et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e) attribute deforestation in the world to several complexities of either direct or indirect factors. These range from farming practices, land use and development, to natural factors like weather extremities. Igini (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) rated poor farming techniques at 80%, mining at 15%, and infrastructure development and urban expansion at 5% as the direct contributors to global deforestation. Globally, deforestation has extensive and devastating environmental consequences, such as loss of biodiversity, climate uncertainty, distraction from water cycles, and soil erosion (Butler, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). It has far-reaching social and cultural implications, such as the displacement of indigenous communities and traditions, conflicts over land rights and impacts on health (Eiras-Barca et al., 2019). Economically, deforestation contributes to short-term gains yet long-term costs through reduced agricultural outputs, increased unemployment and declined revenue generation in ecotourism, trade and industries (Arce, 2019).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeforestation in Ghana is indifferent to a global phenomenon in terms of trends, causes and consequences. However, Boafo (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e) disclosed that 95% of all the deforestation activities in Ghana can be attributed to demographic and economic pressures, policy, and institutional lapses together with increased demand for land for cultivation, fuel wood, illegal logging, mining, infrastructure development and expansion of communities. Kyere-Boateng et al. (2021) highlights that the causes of deforestation in the country varied across the various forest zones. Their results show that deforestation in the Southern regions of Ashanti, Eastern, Western, Brong Ahafo, and Oti is associated with the cultivation of cash crops like cocoa and palm oil, illegal lumbering, and mining operations together with the expansion of settlements, while in the northern region, unsustainable charcoal and firewood production, forest fires and agriculture expansion are among the root causes of deforestation (Boafo, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e). However, natural factors such as hurricanes, fires, parasites, and floods also contribute to some form of deforestation across the country (Amoah et al., 2020). Dokua Sasu (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR58\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) stated that 2.7\u0026nbsp;million hectares, over 60% of Ghana's primary forests, have been lost. Based on data analysis within this period, Ghana's annual deforestation rate is approximately 3.51%, equating to yearly losses of greater than 315,000 hectares (ha) and will surpass 4.7\u0026nbsp;million (ha) by 2030 (Acheampong et a., 2019).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe consequences of deforestation in the country are devastating both to the environment and sustainable human wellbeing. The impacts of deforestation have impinged on sustainable livelihoods for both rural and urban dwellers, disrupting important environmental functions and severely destroying forest ecosystems (Afele et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). These include increased climate unpredictability and warming temperature, escalated soil degradation and erosion, extinction of species, and rapid declining in the water levels of rivers and streams (Khodadadi et al., 2021). Deforestation in Ghana presents incredible socioeconomic risks for the country (Akomaning et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). Kyere-Boateng (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) postulated that between 1990 and 2021, there have been over 200 reported disasters linked to deforestation, which have resulted in over one hundred thousand deaths and over \u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e 2\u0026nbsp;billion in economic losses, which is close to 0,5% of Ghana\u0026rsquo;s GDP. Chirwa et al. (2020) further enunciated that over 60% of the population, including 53% of women, are employed by the agriculture and forestry sectors; therefore, the indirect cost of deforestation has significantly impacted women and families which amounts to over US\u003cspan\u003e$\u003c/span\u003e400\u0026nbsp;million, equivalent to 0.7% of 2020 GDP. Literature highlights that forests provide critical ecosystem services that support agricultural production and water generation in water catchment, soil fertility, and non-timber forest product provision. Furthermore, there is a high dependence on forest resources and agriculture across the country for economic development and support for livelihoods.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrior studies such as Boafo (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e) analysed deforestation's social and economic impacts on livelihoods and the need for policy reforms to address the challenges. Amoah et al. (2020) explore how to use remote sensing techniques to establish the trend of deforestation in Ghana, while Acheampong et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e) investigated deforestation driven by agriculture expansion in the Ghanaian forest reserves and suggested modification of farming techniques to increase yield. These studies and others have extensively explored socioeconomic issues associated with deforestation, together with governance and advancement in techniques to analyse rate of deforestation. Nonetheless, what is missing in the literature is community-based forest management strategies and adaptation of long-term social and economic implications of deforestation on the economic development of Ghana. Considering these gaps, this paper provides a deeper understanding on the impacts of deforestation and climate change on socioeconomic livelihoods of the poor and rural people in Ghana\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec2\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1. Theoretical perspectives on drivers of deforestation and its impacts on climate change in Ghana\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe key drivers of deforestation in Ghana include poverty and economic factors that entail legal and illicit logging, clearing trees to expand land for food production, fuel wood extraction and both illicit and legal mining operations (Gyamfi et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Scholars, which include Afele et al. (2021), Fagariba et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e) and Teye et al. (2008), argued that deforestation in Ghana is caused by five main broad underlying multiple factors rather than one single variable. These underlying causes are human activities that occur at the local or community level, mostly driven by agricultural expansion to increase food, illicit and legal mining operations, logging and other forest products to cater to the increasing population (Peprah et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR51\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Other factors such as social, demographic, economic, technological, policy institutional and cultural elements also contribute to deforestation activities directly or indirectly in the country. Nyako et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e) postulate that these factors create a complex and collective system that drives deforestation activities in the country. Fagariba et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e) state that as the population grows and rural poverty increases, it drives the expansion of agriculture and illicit mining as livelihood strategies coupled with weak land tenure policies and inadequate enforcement cum cultural practices and attitudes advance and shape individuals and community behaviour towards forest which often exacerbate deforestation. Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e summarises the key factors that drive deforestation in Ghana.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eExperts and environmentalists, such as Pulplampu et al. (2021), linked deforestation in Ghana to expanding cities and towns and establishing new communities and infrastructure development to support growing population and economic growth. These authors disclosed that between 2008 and 2021, urban built developments have expanded from 55\u0026ndash;84% at why the expense of the natural environment, including green spaces, which have declined from 41\u0026ndash;15% over the same period. Puplampu et al. (2021) argued that forest zones are the major target for infrastructure development. Moreover, these can be linked to the state\u0026rsquo;s policies to promote oil exploitation, logging concessions or hydropower dam constructions to promote growth and employment have intentionally and unintentionally contributed significantly to deforestation in many regions of the country. The availability of technology, both modern and rudimentary, has affected deforestation. Yilmaz et al. (2019) expand on this, stating that the large-scale clearing of forests and trees for commercial purposes and exports to global markets, while poor, inefficient technologies in the logging industry have also led to an escalation in collateral damages to the forests and surrounding, thus increasing the rate of deforestation in the country. Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e depicts the trends of deforestation in Ghana between 2001 to 2022\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eForest crime and corruption have and continue to contribute to deforestation in Ghana (Cozma et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e). This has escalated illegal forest practices, detrimental to conservation of forests. Tacconi et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR65\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e) highlight some of these practices, which include authorisation of illegal contracts to private companies by government officers, illicit sale of harvesting licenses, under-declaring volumes of forest products, under-pricing of timber in concessions, invasion of protected land by informal logging and timber-sourcing companies. The authors further state that trafficking of forest products across borders and allowing illegal logging, processing forest raw materials without permits remained serious corrupt tendencies which have and continues to increase deforestation in the country. Whilst illegal forest activities are against the law in Ghana, informal small-scale logging has been made legal in the country under the European Union Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) and Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) in 2009 (Arts et al., 2010). While acknowledging that the FLEGT and VPA programme has achieved some level of success in enhancing consultation and participation of the private sector and civil society in forest governance as well as increasing forest sector transparency (Weisse et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR69\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). However, these strategies have failed to nurture deeper forest governance reforms and provide incentives for agents in the sector to engage actively in forest conservation and the cultivation of trees (Weisse et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR69\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Furthermore, it alienated the local communities from owning the forest and reduced them to passive subjects with limited rights to the forest or influence over its management, contributing to the apparent increase in small-scale illegal logging (Kyere-Boateng et al., 2021). These are some of the reasons that have contributed to the exponential trend increases in deforestation activities in the country from 2010, as shown in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1. The Implication of Deforestation on the Environment and Sustainable Livelihoods in Ghana\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeforestation has detrimental impacts on the environment, with far-reaching consequences transcending past national borders (Butler, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Like many of the world, deforestation in Ghana has significant implications for the environment and social and economic livelihoods (Amoah et al., 2019). Forests play an important role in the Earth's climate system, mainly as carbon sinks (Brack, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Deforestation-induced climatic changes interact with global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions, each potentially worsening the other (Li et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). In Ghana, deforestation has contributed to increases in temperatures and changes in the amount and distribution of rainfall, thus creating unpredictability in climatic conditions (Cudjoe et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e summarises the environmental impacts of deforestation experienced in Ghana.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDeforestation bears negative consequences on biodiversity loss in Ghana (Jackson et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e), with significant loss experienced in the past five decades (Shivanna, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR63\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). This is largely felt in tropical rainforests, which are particularly important to the country because they provide a habitat for millions of species of organisms (Butler, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). More than 60% of Ghana is covered by forest, housing about 80% of all animal and plant species (Baidoo et al., 2023). Hence, the loss of these forests through deforestation destroys the genetic diversity of the species that live there (Butler, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). This loss in genetic diversity has resulted in a decline in the overall health of the ecosystem, as species diversity continues to diminish (Muluneh, 2021). Deforestation also affects the water cycle, as trees assist in regulating the flow of water in the ecosystem, preventing soil erosion and preserving water resources (Wiekenkamp et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR71\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). Deforestation has also deprived the land of its cover, exposing a significant portion of the country to extensive wind and rain. This has contributed to soil vulnerability and prone to erosion (Butler, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeforestation also has significant and far-reaching implications on social, economic and political sustenance, particularly for the indigenous and rural communities that depend on forest and forest products for livelihoods. Forests provide the majority of rural communities in Ghana with food, medicines, fuelwood and jobs (Wale et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR67\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). Deforestation has resulted in displacements and migration of communities whose livelihoods depend on forests for generations. This has led to a loss of cultural identity and community cohesion and decreased access to resources and land (Pearson et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR50\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Furthermore, the loss of forests has led to a decline in the availability of forest resources such as timber and non-timber forest products, which serve as important sources of livelihood in communities. Similarly, Fagariba et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e) disclosed that deforestation affects livelihood activities in sectors such as agriculture, mining, wood logging and hunting, which bears direct consequences on employment, food security, income, economic growth and other social aspects such as family cohesion, migrations and cultural identity. The negative impacts on livelihood activities are as a result of unsustainable forest management (Pearson et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR50\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e summarises the implications of climate change on sustainable livelihoods.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMany of the above-mentioned implications are exacerbated by poor policies and weak regulations and monitoring systems. Therefore, reducing deforestation to improve sustainable livelihoods among the population will require intensive education, awareness creation and effective forest management strategies (Lopez-Carr, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR41\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. Materials and Methodological issues","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis section dealt with research design, sampling and sample population, data collection and data analysis techniques.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1 The study Area\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study was carried out in the Ashanti region is in the Southern part of Ghana. It is located between 6\u0026deg;44\u0026rsquo;49.357\u0026rsquo;\u0026rsquo; N and \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u0026deg;31\u0026rsquo;15.105\u0026rsquo; E spanning 24,389 km\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e (9,417 sq mi) in the Kumasi Metropolitan District (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e), with an approximately total population of 4,780,380 inhabit-ants (Khan, 2019). Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e shows the region of Ashanti, the study site. This region was selected as a case study due to a combination of factors that include geographical location, deforestation trends over the past three decades and socioeconomic conditions simultaneously in the entire country.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe climatic condition in the region is sub-tropical, with an average rainfall of between 1100 -1800mm, a temperature range of 21\u003csup\u003e0\u003c/sup\u003e to 32\u003csup\u003e0\u003c/sup\u003eC and higher humid conditions. A mosaic of cropland and tree cover dominates the Ashanti region. The Atewa Range Forest Reserve and the Tano-Offin Forest Reserve form the two dominant forest cover in the country (Amponsah et al., 2022). The region is the hub of the country's commercial crops of cocoa, palm trees and other agricultural farming, which are intrinsically linked to deforestation (Appiah et al., 2022). Furthermore, the social and economic dynamics of the region, together with increasing population, the rising cost of energy, poverty and unemployment, significantly influence the use of natural resources, particularly forest and forest products, hence the exponential increases in deforestation in the region (Kyere-Boateng et al., 2021).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2. Research design\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis paper employed a mixed method approach using both quantitative and qualitative techniques to collect data on the level of deforestation in Ghana. In addition, an extensive literature review of material that explores the implications of deforestation on climate change and the social and economic livelihoods of the population as defined by the research questions was carried out. The quantitative method in the form of geographical image analysis vegetation analysis was used to analyse the trend of deforestation in the region between the periods of 2001 and 2021. The approach involved investigating the relationship between demographic patterns in the study region, and its relation to and the rate of deforestation in the region. Therefore, the qualitative approach, conducted through interviews, was employed to evaluate the effects of deforestation on the social and economic livelihoods of the population. Additionally, this method was also used to explore the causes and drivers of deforestation in the region. The study also extensively reviewed literature to assess the effectiveness and applicability of existing policies and regulations aimed at addressing deforestation challenges in both the region and the country. qualitative approach in the form of interviews was applied to appraise the impacts of deforestation on the social and economic livelihoods of the population. The same approach was used to explore the causes and drivers of deforestation in the region. The study also used extensive literature to assess the workability and applicability of the current policies and regulations in place to address the challenges of deforestation in the region and the country.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2.1 \u003cspan type=\"Underline\" class=\"Underline\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eRemote sensing data - Data Acquisition\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor the purposes of our study, remote sensing data from MODIS NDVI (MOD 13 Q1) 250m imagery data for the years; 2001, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2020 was downloaded from USGS Earth Explorer (\u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://earthexplorer.usgs.gov\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e) for the analysis. Ashanti boundary shapefile was downloaded from Esri to set the extent of the analysis on the area of interest. The NDVI satellite imagery for the respective study years was clipped using the Ashanti boundary shapefile to narrow down the analysis to the coverage of the study. This was done with the clip option in the geoprocessing tool of ArcGIS. The MODIS NDVI data values range from \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1999 to 10000, and \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;2000 is the fill value. Value \"- 1999\" is assigned to any VI computation between \"-1998\" and \"-10000\". To normalize the values, a scale factor of 0.0001 is applied to the pixels by multiplication (Zhu and Woodcock, 2012). The NDVI resulting values were used for further analysis. For the study, the NDVI imageries were classified into four classes with values ranging from \u0026ndash; 0.1 to 0 grouped having no vegetation, 0\u0026ndash;0.2 as sparse vegetation, 0.2\u0026ndash;0.5 as moderate vegetation and 0.6 -1 as dense vegetation being the class containing the trees and forest. The different classes of the imageries were reclassified to unify the range of pixel values within each class (Zhu and Woodcock, 2012), for further processing. The no vegetation class, sparse vegetation class, moderate vegetation and dense vegetation were assigned the values \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1,1,2 and 3 respectively.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.2. Sampling technique and study population\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis paper relied significantly on probability in simple random sampling and non-probability in the form of a purposive sampling technique to collect data for the study. Considering the complexities driving deforestation activities in Ghana and its implications on social and economic livelihoods, it was appropriate to solicit views and perspectives from different backgrounds and settings. According to Campbell et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e), purposive sampling is the intentional selection of informants based on their special knowledge and expertise and the willingness and ability to elucidate a specific theme, concept or phenomenon. This sampling technique was used to select a total of 15 participants for interviews for the qualitative aspect of the study. Based on research questions, the researchers applied judgemental criteria to select and engage in online interviews with a total of seven respondents. These were national and regional employees from the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources, five from the Forestry Commission of Ghana and three community leaders in the Ashanti Region.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA simple random sampling was also used in this study to obtain quantitative data by administering a survey. Random sampling is a technique in which each sample has an equal probability of being chosen (Marradi, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR43\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). This author is of the view that the simple random approach seeks to avoid bias in the representation of the total population. This technique was considered because it assisted the researchers in sampling a large pool of respondents for the survey. A total of 1000 respondents were selected from five communities, namely, Konongo, Bekwai, Obuasi, Agogo and Abetifi, all in the Ashanti Region. To achieve the proportional representation of the population based on socioeconomics, the Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling is given by Eq.\u0026nbsp;(1 as follows:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eP = (C/T) * S\u003c/b\u003e (1)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ewhere, s was employed to compute the sampling population in each community. In this formula, P is the proportion of the community in the sampled population, C is the community population, T is the total population, and S is the sample size. Using this Eq.\u0026nbsp;(1) for the analysis, the latest statistical information was acquired from StatsGhana (StatsGhana, 2021). The communities identified include \u003cem\u003eKonongo\u0026thinsp;\u0026asymp;\u0026thinsp;41, 238; Bekwai\u0026thinsp;\u0026asymp;\u0026thinsp;7267; Obuasi\u0026thinsp;\u0026asymp;\u0026thinsp;175 043; Agogo\u0026thinsp;\u0026asymp;\u0026thinsp;28 271; and Abetifi\u0026thinsp;\u0026asymp;\u0026thinsp;79726. The computation of the: Konongo (41238/331545 \u0026times;1000\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;124); Bekwai (7267/331545 \u0026times; 1000\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;22); Obuasi (175 043/331545 \u0026times; 1000\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;528); Agogo (28271/331545 \u0026times; 1000\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;86) and Abetifi (79726/331545 \u0026times; 1000\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;240).\u003c/em\u003e Nonetheless, it is important to note that the selection of the respondents was conducted via a systematic sampling method in which a respondent were 18 years or older and resided in the community for at least two years. The questionnaires were self-administered with the help of two field assistants who were conversant with the area.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.5. Data analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study adopted aspects of remote sensing and GIS to depict forest cover change in the Ashanti region. Remote sensing data were employed to create vegetation indices (NDVI) that assess various biophysical parameters of green vegetation. These parameters make it is possible to compute terrestrial plant biomass, providing a quantifiable metric for vegetation cover. To quantify the level of deforestation events that have occurred in Ashanti within the periods, the data was used to map the vegetation cover status for the year 2000. As a result, the selected years such as 2001\u0026ndash;2005, 2006\u0026ndash;2010, 2011\u0026ndash;2015, and 2016\u0026ndash;2020 of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) themes were used and represent the most consistent temporal gaps captured within the region as shown in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e. The grouping of the pixels was carried out because of the need to capture a significant and lucid cover change trajectory considering the response time of landscape transformation to land cover changes (Shawul \u0026amp; Chakma, 2019 and Aspinall et al., 2021). Consequently, the data was extracted and collated for the following years 2001\u0026ndash;2005, 2006\u0026ndash;2010, 2011\u0026ndash;2015, and 2016\u0026ndash;2020, a change detection analysis was performed using the intersect geoprocessing method (Bashir \u0026amp; Ahmad, 2017; Rajkumar, 2022). This method was used to determine the pixel level at different changes that had occurred across the landscape over time. Consequently, the results were embedded to produce the change detection analysis for the historical status and the group selection for the four vegetation transitions (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig6\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eOther questionnaire data solicited were also analysed using descriptive statistics of SPSS Windows Version 21. This technique was used to analyse the demographic characteristics of the respondents, as well as the socioeconomic status of households and the XXX implications of deforestation on livelihoods. The SPSS software also assisted the research team in capturing the data analysed and produced frequency tables, graphs and diagrams that ensured quick interpretations and easy data comprehension. The qualitative data obtained from the interviews and the literature review were analysed using the thematic analysis method. Thematic analysis is the skill of scrutinising qualitative data that includes probing through the data to identify themes or key messages of interviewees (Kiger \u0026amp; Vanpio 2020). This approach assisted the researchers in sorting and grouping data based on themes for interpretation and discussion.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4. Empirical Evidence and Analysis of Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe analysis of this paper was carried out based on the set-out objectives of the study which includes the causes and drivers of deforestation, the implication of deforestation on social and economic livelihoods and strategies for minimising forest loss in the Ashanti region of Ghana. The empirical evidence and analysis were computed by Eq.\u0026nbsp;(\u003cspan refid=\"Equ1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003cdiv id=\"Equ1\" class=\"Equation\"\u003e\u003cdiv format=\"TEX\" class=\"mathdisplay\" id=\"FileID_Equ1\" name=\"EquationSource\"\u003e\n$$\\sigma = \\sqrt{\\frac{\\sum I{{\\rm X}}_{1 } - \\mu {I}^{2} }{N}}$$\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"EquationNumber\"\u003e2\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eIn this formula, σ is the standard deviation, x\u003c/b\u003e \u003csub\u003e \u003cb\u003e1\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/sub\u003e, \u003cb\u003e\u0026micro; is the mean, and N is the total number of respondents\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.2. Demographic and socioeconomic status of respondents\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis paper explores the socioeconomic and demographic factors to understand the underlying drivers of deforestation in the Ashanti Region and Ghana. The computation was done using the formula above. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e reflects the demographic and socio-economic information of the respondents\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDemographic and socioeconomic background of respondents\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c7\" colnum=\"7\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePer. (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(SD)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean per. (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStandard\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDeviation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStandard Error\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e300\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e700\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAge\u003c/b\u003e:\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18\u0026ndash;30 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e240\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31\u0026ndash;40 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e340\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e41\u0026ndash;50 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e170\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51\u0026ndash;60 years\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e144\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.39\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60\u003csup\u003e+\u003c/sup\u003eyears\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e106\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.22\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEducational levels\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo formal education\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e115\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.93\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSecondary level\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e540\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBachelor degree\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePostgraduate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMarital status\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSingle\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e210\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarried\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e560\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.55\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDivorced\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNot disclosed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEmployment status\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmployed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e214\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.12\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSelf-employed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e336\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnemployed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e420\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.49\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeasonally employed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e125\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.8%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNature of employment\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCash crop production\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e273\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e143\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.296\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSubsistent farming\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e260\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e143\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.184\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMining sector\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e146\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e143\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.187\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLogging/pit sawyers\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e201\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e143\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.185\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharcoal producers\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e09\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e143\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e06%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.040\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eForest rangers\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e143\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e01%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.034\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOthers\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e143\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e01%\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.235\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSource\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eField survey by the researcher team\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrom the survey of 1000 respondents, 700, equating 70%, were males compared to 300 or 30% were females. The majority, 340 (34%) of the population, were between the ages of 31 and 40 years; this was followed by the ages of 18 to 30, constituting 24%, and the majority, 54% of the respondents, finished secondary and bachelor\u0026rsquo;s degrees. Most of the respondents (56%) were married, 21% were single, and 15 were divorced. One of the most striking findings showed that 42% of the respondents were unemployed, followed by 34% self-employed and 24% employed. The outcome of the survey further shows that 27% of the respondents were involved in cash crop production such as cocoa and palm trees; this is immediately followed by subsistent farmers of 26%, logging pit sawyers came out next at 20% while mining both small-scale and large scale were mentioned by 15% of the total respondents.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.2.1. Spatial Trend Analysis of deforestation in Ashanti Region\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eUnderstanding the deforestation trends in the Ashanti Region and Ghana forms one of the key objectives of the research. This was achieved using the statistics of forest loss in the region between 2000 and 2020 together with Geographical Information Systems software. The deforestation status for the year 2000 in the region is depicted in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003ea. The vegetation cover status at the beginning of the millennium shows that the year 2000 experienced dense to moderate vegetation cover during that period. Accordingly, the year witnessed moderate vegetation in the northeastern and southeastern parts with most of the sparse vegetation dominated in the central and southern regions. No vegetation was witnessed towards the central and Southeastern parts of the study area, which connotes that this area might depict bare land, built-up and/or urban area. The dense vegetation dominated almost the entire area during the year 2000, with most concentration on the Southwestern parts of the Ashanti region as shown in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003ea. The vegetation cover change might be linked to the improvements in vegetation cover by the government which was fully undertaken in Ashanti because the issues with the land use/ land cover change and over-cultivation were still at an early stage. This development put in place by the provincial government might have influenced the vegetation condition, particularly for the year 2000. Consequently, this phenomenon coincides with the sustainable development goal SDG\u003csub\u003e15\u003c/sub\u003e (Life on Land): to preserve, restore and promote sustainable practices and the use of the terrestrial environment (Liu et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e; Schillaci et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR59\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFigure \u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003eb shows the deforestation trend of the Ashanti Region from 2000 to 2020. The trend of deforestation between 2001 to 2005 shows dense to moderate vegetation towards the central and southern parts Ashanti region. The region in the northeastern parts was dominated by sparse vegetation to no vegetation was observed in the area. This may be the result of moderated land use and land cover change associated with human disturbances such as logging, mining activities and urbanization being put under more stringent regulations and guidelines (Emenike et al., 2020). From 2006 to 2010, the area witnessed dense to dense vegetation towards the central, southeastern, and western parts Ashanti region while the northeastern part was dominated by less dense vegetation. The central part witnessed moderate to sparse vegetation and sparse to no vegetation was identified in the southeastern area attributed to slight development that might have contributed to the observed trend dynamics as shown in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig5\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003eb. The years 2011 to 2015 experienced dense to moderate in the southwestern parts while the southeastern areas were observed with sparse to no vegetation change. The development may be subject to the effects of arable farming, demographic pressure on land use change and infrastructural development (Koranteng \u0026amp; Zawila-Niedzwiecki, 2015; Acheampong et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e). The forest transformation to other land could have impacted the soil structure associated with tree loss and forest cover change that occurred from dense vegetation to sparse in the region (Wang et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR68\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e). The deforestation trend shows that the northeastern area was dominated by dense to sparse vegetation and sparse to no vegetation towards the eastern areas. The observed trend of deforestation between 2016 and 2020 shows dense to moderate vegetation change in the central and southern regions while the northeastern and western areas were dominated by sparse to no vegetation. The southeastern part was dominant with no vegetation as opposed to the previous years because land use and land cover change exert significant influence on forest cover change. In previous years, the dense to sparse vegetation in the central area was observed and consistent in the past decade.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.2.2. Proximate causes of deforestation\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn line with the study's first objective, this paper probed into the key drivers of deforestation in the region. Respondents were asked to identify the main causes of deforestation in their communities. Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003ea reflects the responses of the respondents.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe majority of the respondents, 20%, mentioned agricultural expansion and logging and timber industry as the main and immediate causes of deforestation in their communities; this was followed by fuelwood and charcoal producers at 14%, illegal chainsaw operations and mining activities were mentioned by 13% and 10% respectively. This statistical breakdown was reinvigorated by a community leader who was engaged in an interview. This interviewee posited that:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"the enticements and the drive by government to farmers to go into large scale production of cocoa, palm and rubber have contributed to the clearing of large portions of forests to make space for the cultivation of these products. This interviewee further said it is cheaper to buy forest land and turn it into farmland in the Ashanti Region than to invest in existing farmland to improve productivity and longevity.\"\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnother interviewee from the Ministry of Land and Natural Resources shared a similar perspective. This interviewee stated in an interview that:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"large scale and illegal logging activities for sawmill industries and other purposes are the main and primary contributor to deforestation in the country and Ashanti Region in particular. According to this interviewee, logging operations employ clear-cutting; in some instances, entire sections of forest are completely cleared off. These practices have resulted in massive deforestation in the region.\"\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eApart from the proximate causes, the study probed further into the underlying drivers of deforestation in the region. Respondents were asked to identify the root causes of forest loss in their communities. Figure\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003eb displays the answers of the respondents.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMost of the respondents (30%), attribute limited and no alternative to livelihood opportunities in their communities as the key driver to deforestation. This is followed by pervasive poverty; this factor was mentioned by 26% of the respondents. A number of respondents, 11% and 10% respectively, associated weak regulations, inadequate enforcement, and corruption among government officials as underlying drivers of deforestation in communities in the country and the region. Some interviewees buttressed these statistical outcomes. An employee from the Forestry Commission in Ghana said this during an interview:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"most of the rural or local communities in Ghana and Ashanti Region lack any other source of income for sustaining themselves and their families besides clearing the forest or logging by legal or illicit means. This dependency on forest-related sustenance has contributed substantially to unsustainable deforestation.\"\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAnother employee from the Regional Ministry of Land and Natural Resources expressed similar sentiments:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"the majority of the population in rural communities in the country are poor and have no alternative livelihoods; they rely mainly on forest resources for sustenance such as charcoal production, cutting of trees for fuelwood, hunting and gathering, illegal mining activities, illicit logging and subsistence in the form of slashing and burning. These collective activities contribute to deforestation as forests are overly exploited\".\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAn Environmentalist and an Advocator based in one of the communities expressed this during an interview:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ethere is lack of transparency in the Ghana forestry sector and this is contributing significantly to deforestation in all the regions in the country. This interviewee stressed that the opaque practices in the logging permits, land concessions and timber harvesting have contributed to illegal and unsustainable deforestation. The lack of transparency has hindered any effort to enforce regulations and sustainable forest management in the country.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA common perspective cutting across most of the respondents suggests that favourable markets for forest products from both domestic and global, weak regulations on forestry, lack of awareness and complications of the land tenure system have collectively contributed to the escalation of deforestation in the region and Ghana.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.3. Implication of Deforestation on the environment, social and economic livelihoods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis paper evaluated the implications of deforestation on the livelihoods of the population. Respondents were asked to link the implications against a particular variable using a set of variables, with responses presented in Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e. The following equation was used to compile the ranking: [0 \u0026lt; \u0026times; \u0026lt; 20 equal to (No implications); 21 \u0026gt; \u0026times; \u0026lt; 100 (Less implications); 101 \u0026gt; \u0026times; \u0026lt; 500 (Major implications); 501 \u0026lt; /= 1000 (Very severe implications)]. Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e depicts the impacts of deforestation on the environment and livelihoods\u003c/p\u003e Table 2Implications of Deforestation on sustainable livelihoods \u003cb\u003e(Research team, 2023)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg 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\" width=\"652\" height=\"356\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSource:\u003c/strong\u003e Field survey by Researchers\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMost of the respondents classified the twelve implications as either major or very severe implications on sustainable livelihoods. For instance, 62% of the respondents are of the view that deforestation has contributed to the loss of jobs and unemployment, escalating poverty in the region and the country. Similarly, 69% mentioned that their health, water and food security have been compromised due to high levels of deforestation. Interviews with some respondents buttressed the statistical breakdown. An interview with a community leader stated that:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"our livelihoods depend on timber, non-forest products, ecotourism and the hospitality industry. The decline in forest in our communities reduced attractions, limits the supply of timber which adversely affects employment for loggers, sawmill workers and other industry.\"\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe underlying views emanating from most interviewees suggest that deforestation in the region is multifaceted. Deforestation disrupts the water cycle, which compromises water quality and quantity, leading to the outbreak of diseases; it also disrupts the ecosystem and biodiversity, reducing agricultural production, food insecurity, environmental concern, and human well-being.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e4.4. Mitigation strategies for deforestation in Ashanti Region and Ghana\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eConsidering the seriousness and devastation implications of deforestation on the population's livelihoods, this paper explored strategies for mitigating the spread of deforestation in the Ashanti Region. Respondents were asked to pick their preferred strategies for addressing deforestation challenges from a set of variables. Using a \"Likert scale\", we calculated and classified respondents' answers under the following variables: \"Priority, Important Priority and Very Important Priority\". Under this formula, we use a normal and ordering approach of (\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;less than; = equal to; \u0026gt; greater than; \u0026le; less or equal to \u0026ne;\u0026thinsp;not equal to; \u0026ge; greater or equal to and x to equate numbers within a range) to calculate the answers provider. In this equation, responses were compiled as: [0\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;x\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;100 equal to \"Long Perm Priority\"; 101\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;x\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;500 equate to \"Medium Term Priority\" and 501\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;x\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;1000 represent \"Immediate/Urgent Priority\"]. The responses are depicted in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig10\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRespondents classified legal reforms, sustainable logging reforestation and afforestation, as well as community-based forestry, as immediate or urgent priorities that need to be enforced if the region and the country are to address the challenges of deforestation. These were followed by promoting protected areas, encouraging alternative livelihoods, monitoring and surveillance and promoting education and awareness campaigns as medium-term priorities required in solving deforestation challenges. Other respondents grouped international cooperation, sustainable agriculture, research and innovation, and financial incentives as long-term objectives to be followed to solve the deforestation problems in the country. These views were validated during interviews with some of the respondents. For instance, an interview with the director of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources posited that:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"legal reforms and strengthening existing laws such as land tenure rights, regulating logging and mining, encouraging community-based forest management, conducting effective environmental impact assessment, improving forest monitoring with technology, harsh penalties for offenders and corrupt officials and well collaborating with neighbouring and international agreements will go a long way to minimise deforestation activities in the region and the country\".\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDuring an interview, an employee expressed a similar sentiment at the Forestry Commission of Ghana. This interviewee stated that:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"addressing deforestation activities in Ghana will require a holistic approach that embraces restructurings legal and regulations on forest management, responsible logging, community engagement, forest certification, corporate accountability, global cooperation as well as sustainable agricultural practices\".\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA conservationist and Forester in the Ministry of Lands and Forestry said this in an interview:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"to slow the effect of climate change, conserve biodiversity and impact the sustainable development goals, replanting and reforestation are critical. He stated that restored forests store carbon within the forest's soil, shrubs and trees. Mixed forests, for instance, are especially effective at carbon storage, as different species with complementary traits increase overall carbon storage.\"\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eA common and underlying feedback emanating from the interviewees suggests that proactive and integrated strategies of robust legal regulations, active community involvement and ownership of forests, political will, and active educational and awareness campaigns will reverse the country's deforestation trend.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"5. Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe discussion of this paper is structured and sequenced to build a holistic understanding of the drivers and trends of deforestation and its implications on the environment and social and economic livelihoods in Ghana.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e5.1. Drivers and Deforestation Trends in Ashanti, Ghana\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe findings of this paper confirmed the views of many scholars, researchers and commentators, such as Koranteng et al. (2015), Welsink (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR70\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e), and Wimberly et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR72\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) that deforestation trends in the Ashanti Region have varied since the 1950s, however, a significant forest loss has occurred between 2001 and 2021. The geospatial analysis of the region suggests that since 2001, the region has experienced fluctuating trends in deforestation, at an astounding yearly rate of forest loss which has increased over the study period. Similar findings are expressed by Wimberley et al. (2022), who noted that from 1990 to 2000, the rate of forest cover loss in the Ashanti Region was 3%; between 2001 to 2010, the rate was 2.6% and 1.5% and 2.5% between 2010 and 2020. This paper identified two main drivers as the main anthropogenic causes of deforestation. These include proximate or immediate causes and underlying factors. Agriculture expansion, logging and timber extraction, fuelwood and charcoal production, illegal chainsaw operations, infrastructure development, and traditional and cultural practices are the region's proximate or immediate causes of deforestation activities. These findings are also shared by Andoh et al. (2018) that the proximate or direct causes of deforestation in Ghana and particularly the Ashanti Region are due to the expansion of agriculture, particularly for cash crops such as cocoa, palm trees and rubber plantations, as well as unsustainable logging activities, illegal mining operations (galamsey), fuelwood and charcoal burning, infrastructure development and expansion and creation of new settlements, all these activities involve the clearing of forests. Region. The outcomes of the study Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003ea suggest that the underlying drivers play a significant role in sustaining the proximate causes. Furthermore, it revealed that social, economic and political factors such as limited livelihoods alternatives, high levels of poverty, weak regulations and governance, corruption, land tenure systems, favourable market conditions internationally, as well as lack of education and awareness among the population, create favourable environment for logging and deforestation to flourish. Similar outcomes are also expressed by Kyere-Boateng et al. (2021) that while proximate causes of deforestation, such as agricultural expansion, logging, infrastructure development, fuelwood and charcoal production, as well as mining, are easily noticeable as direct causes of forest loss in the region, nonetheless, underlying drivers such as economic pressures, cultural circumstances, political factors play indirect but prominent roles in driving and expanding deforestation in the region and the country as whole. A similar expression was expounded by Kissinger et al. (2012) that while socioeconomic factors are at play, bureaucratic licensing regimes, weak governance and weak legal framework, political and traditional leadership failures, corrupt officials, population growth and global market forces, mutually contribute to deforestation, thereby resulting in direct loss of forest cover, thus creating environmental challenges.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e5.2. Implications of deforestation on sustainable livelihoods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn terms of deforestation on the environment and sustainable livelihoods, strong correlations were identified as adverse impacts of deforestation on the environment and livelihoods of the population. Findings from Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e deforestation has negatively impacted the environment in terms of loss of biodiversity, expansion of soil erosion, modification of climatic conditions, and reduction of water and air quality. These were similar views expressed by Nyako et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR46\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e) that deforestation in the Ashanti Region and Ghana has severe environmental implications, including loss of biodiversity linked to the destruction of natural habitats, emission of stored carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere contributing climate change, expansion of soil erosion and leaching. Other detriments mentioned by these authors, which support our findings and uncovered that deforestation has altered the region's water cycle, resulting in reduced water availability and quality. It has also contributed to the declining air quality, particularly in urban communities and increasingly harming watersheds, resulting in high and repeated trends of vulnerabilities such as flooding, droughts and bushfires.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe findings of this paper concurred with many commentators and researchers, such as Fagariba et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR26\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e), Acheampong et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e), and Siregar et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR64\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e), that deforestation has far-reaching implications on economic livelihoods in the Ashanti Region. This is well depicted in the study that the underlying findings in the table suggest that forest loss has contributed to the loss of jobs and employment opportunities, reduction in ecotourism destinations, reduction in agricultural production and decrease in revenue for timber and non-forest products. The key findings in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e suggest that the Ashanti Region and Ghana's economy depend significantly on agriculture, timber and other forest products; therefore, the loss of forest directly affects the population's employment, incomes and other livelihood activities. Furthermore, forests in the region serve as the main attraction for tourists due to their biodiversity nature. Therefore, the extinction of forest has reduced the appetite of tourists in the region, negatively affecting the hospitality and tourism sector leading to reduced employment opportunities and the revenue of the businesses. These findings are also shared by Yahaya et al. (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR73\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e) that the escalation of deforestation in the region has contributed to significant job losses in hospitality, travel and service industries craftwork in the local economies. Key findings also uncovered the social implications of deforestation on the population. These include increasing levels of displacement and migration, threats to health, water and food security, loss of traditions and cultural knowledge associated with forest and escalation of conflicts and gangs in forest communities. Boafo (\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2013\u003c/span\u003e), Asamoah et al. (2023), and Baffour et al. (2021) also reported that deforestation has contributed significantly to the loss of conventional livelihoods among the population, leading to forced migration, particularly among the youth, threatening water and food security, health complications and escalation of conflicts as well as vigilantism and gangs. The underlying findings of this paper suggest that the environmental, economic, and social implications have collectively contributed significantly to jeopardising the well-being and stability of communities in the region and the country as a whole.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e5.3. Intervention strategies in mitigating deforestation\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis paper explored extensively strategies required to address deforestation challenges in the region and the country. The findings recognised that mitigating the problems of deforestation will require the amalgamation of immediate or short-term to long-term strategies, as illustrated in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e. The overwhelming views emanating from the findings in Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig9\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e as well as some commentators such as Hansen et al. (2022) and Arts et al. (2010) suggest that the region must embark on legal reforms, sustainable logging practices, reforestation and afforestation as well as promoting community-based forestry and ownership as immediate, urgent or short-term strategies to address the challenges of deforestation. Our views and observations suggest that current legislation and policies governing forest management in the country are neo-liberal, top-down and government-centre approaches with little or no regards for and interests of farmers, landowners, communities, traditional authorities and other stakeholders in forest governance and administration. Furthermore, the legislation and policies lack a clear direction on sustainable logging, reforestation and afforestation programmes needed to sustain the forest resources. Addressing these constraints will require comprehensive policy and legal reforms that prioritise the strengthening forest governance and law enforcement, promoting sustainable logging activities and completely banning illegal and chainsaw activities, promoting conservation and protected areas and biodiversity, encouraging community-based forest management, promoting public education awareness, incentivise reforestation and afforestation efforts while promoting robust and technological monitoring systems as well as fostering international cooperation in combating deforestation. These findings are similar to den Besten et al. (2018) framework of strategies to mitigate deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) in developing countries including Ghana. The underlying views of the figure underscore that no single stakeholder can eliminate deforestation activities in the country. Collaboration between government agencies, the private sector particularly the sawmilling companies and local communities is paramount important to effective surveillance and monitoring.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"6. Conclusion and recommendations","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis paper established that deforestation in Ghana, particularly the Ashanti region is driven by lingering and interlinking of social, economic, political and cultural factors with multifaceted implications on the livelihoods of the population. These implications include loss of biodiversity, climate change, soil erosion, food insecurity and loss of livelihoods. Spatial trends analysis of deforestation in the Ashanti region depicts variations in trends from 2000 to 2020. Consequently, the start of the millennium of 2000 experienced dense to moderate vegetation cover while subsequent years witnessed a consistent decline in tree cover loss and forest cover. The results show that much of these changes were observed in the northeastern and western parts between 2011 to 2015, suggesting the potential role of atmospheric variations and human-induced land degradations in the Ashanti region in increasing the rate of deforestation. Overall, the results from the spatiotemporal patterns of seasonal variation and dynamics depict a consistent decline in the quality of tree cover from dense vegetation to moderate from 2001 to 2010 considering the response time of landscape transformation to land cover changes. Consequently, the forest transformation between 2011 and 2020 revealed a drastic decline from moderate to sparse vegetation in the quality of green vegetation conditions. Although numerous strategies and regulations have been instituted by the government, regional and traditional authorities to curtail the problem contrarily, the trends of forest loss are rather on the ascendency. These are due to the silo nature at which forests are managed in the country, lack of community-driven strategies, inadequate involvement of key stakeholders, prevalence of corruption among government representatives and community leaders, excruciating poverty and lack of alternatives to forest resources. Addressing these challenges will require an integrated and holistic approach that encompasses addressing poverty, sustainable land use and forest management, formulating innovative policies, reinforcing the existing legislation and the by-laws, and improving forest governance. Furthermore, economic rewards or compensations for communities and households' engaging in conservation, reforestation and afforestation practices and regularising and transforming the current land tenure and ownership laws are prioritised. Additionally, awareness and educational campaigns among grassroots and educational institutions and international organisations on forest protection must be strengthened without overlooking the population's social, economic and livelihood needs. Technology also has a role to play \u0026ndash; satellite imagery and drones will save time and resources in this fight. These proactive and multifaceted strategies can only be achieved through effective collaboration between governments, local communities, the private sector and international cooperation.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflict of Interest\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors of this paper declared that there is no conflict of interest in writing this manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding Declaration\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe, the authors of this paper, owe a debt of gratitude to the NRF's Global Change Grand Challenges, under the funding instrument, 'Global Change Social Sciences Research Programme, Grant No. 129481, for granting us the necessary resources to write this paper.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Availability Statement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data supporting the finding of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy and ethical restriction.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics Approval and Consent to Participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data supporting the finding of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy and ethical restriction.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors Contribution\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdom, RK.,\u003c/strong\u003e Collected the data and wrote the main manuscripts; \u003cstrong\u003eReids, M.,\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eReviewed and edited the manuscript, \u003cstrong\u003eAfuye, GA.,\u003c/strong\u003e Analysed and interpreted the data and draw graphs and tables of the manuscript, \u003cstrong\u003eSimatele, MD.,\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eProvided critical feedback and guidance throughout the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAcheampong, E. O., Macgregor, C. J., Sloan, S., \u0026amp; Sayer, J. (2019). Deforestation is driven by agricultural expansion in Ghana\u0026apos;s forest reserves. \u003cem\u003eScientific African, 5\u003c/em\u003e(2019), 3-6.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdom, R. 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Comparable biophysical and biogeochemical feedbacks on warning from tropical moist forest degradation. \u003cem\u003eNature Geoscience, 16\u003c/em\u003e(2023), 244-249.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Deforestation, climate change adaptation, livelihoods and sustainability","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3991423/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3991423/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eGhana is endowed with an abundance of natural resources, including vast tracts of natural forest and other vegetation biomes, which serve as livelihood sustenance for a significant number of the population. However, managing these resources sustainably to achieve environmental and economic growth and alleviating poverty remains a significant challenge. Deforestation driven by agriculture, lumbering, mining, infrastructural development, and urban expansion has reduced the forest ecosystems by over 60% over the past three decades. This has threatened the sustainable livelihoods to most of the population, exacerbated by increasing climate irregularity and its devastating consequences. Using data collected through methods inspired by the tradition of quantitative and qualitative research approaches, this paper explores and discusses how the combination of climate change and deforestation, are compromising the livelihood options of poor and vulnerable communities in Ghana. We further argue that the poor are not passive actors but are actively involved in identifying systems and processes through which to build their adaptive capacity and resilience to climate change induced environmental changes. Despite this, we argue that the ability of the poor and vulnerable communities to adapt comprehensively to climate change induced challenges is being hampered by institutional and policy weaknesses as well as a lack of meaningful engagement and collaboration between different and interested stakeholders. In view of this, we argue for an evidence-based and inclusive approaches which will propagate the participation of marginalised and vulnerable groups of people in the design and co-production of solutions in order to develop policies and strategies that are more transformative and towards achieving sustainable communities. These themes have been argued within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly goal number 8.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"An Assessment of the Implications of Deforestation and Climate Change on Rural Livelihood in Ghana: A Multidimensional Analysis and Solution-Based Approach","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-03-21 13:27:16","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-3991423/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"ed471485-4609-4e9f-9cf6-0dd0970aa2e7","owner":[],"postedDate":"March 21st, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2024-05-27T07:12:19+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2024-03-21 13:27:16","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-3991423","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-3991423","identity":"rs-3991423","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}