article by ampofo agyei justice

Article by Ampofo Agyei Justice on the

Exploitation of Ghana’s Scarce Economic Trees

Introduction

Ghana is one of the very few countries in the world that has been blessed with uncountable

natural resources ranging from those beneath the earth crust without forgetting those above

the earth surface upon which the life expectancy supporting services and process of beings is

resident. This natural resources are the life supporting systems of the people of Ghana and

beyond since all living organisms live from the environment. Environment in this context

however, is the variety of places, objects and process that matters to humanity. It matters

to humanity based on the grounds that human beings live from, live in and live with the

environment. We live from the environment because our basic necessities of which food,

shelter and clothing are apparently obtain from the natural environment.Moreover,we live in

the environment because the environment has an intrinsic value or hidden (a value that an

organism or thing has beyond its actual functions it could perform in the perspective of a lay

man).For instance, to a lay-man, a pear tree is of important to him or her for the fruits it bear

annually for foods and income or to the florist, a pear tree may be of much important to him

or her because it improves the aesthetic value of the environment thereby beatifying his or

her location but intrinsically, the presence of a pear tree in every home or environment

prevents or protects the people around from heart diseases of all kinds scientifically or in the

medical point of view and this portrays directly that even if a pear tree is incapable of

pg. 1 Type of document: Article

Title: Exploitation of Ghana’s Scarce Economic Trees

Author: Ampofo Agyei Justice

Academic status: Student (Environment and Resource Management)-MPhil

University for Development Studies-UDS Wa Campus, Upper West Region-Ghana.

Email: [email protected]

producing fruits it should not be cut because of this hidden value which is very significant to

humankind yet very elusive to be known to a mere person. Further to these, we live with the

environment based on the fact that the environment has a history to tell since it was in

existence before our presence and it would remain stay even if we leave and as such must be

sustained through preservation and effective conservation. In spite of all these usefulness of

nature, it has been suppressed disadvantageously by we humans who are the stakeholders or

beneficiaries of the eco-function associated with nature. This environmental suppression is

most serious on land and forest which sustains the lives of the lot but been exploited by the

few through extractability and deductibility with much focus on technological advancement

and man power in an indigenous exploration.

The current state of Ghana’s vegetation (forest cover).

As at 1900, Ghana was having a vegetation cover thus thick (Virgin) forest of Eight Million

Two Hundred Hectares (8.2 mil.ha) ranging from the apex of our landmarks thus from the

Northern part of the country to the coastal and southern belts of the country. However, in

accordance with the Forest Investment Programme (FIP) report of 2012 and (B.FT since

1990’s) the current forest cover in Ghana is one million six hundred hectares (1.6mil ha)

which is very devastated a story or history to be written about Ghana, a country whose

citizenry depend largely (82% of the total populace) on primary production. Due to this forest

exploitation, Trees like Odum(Iroko),Wawa(cedar),Mahogany,Oframu,Asafena and Sapele

just to mentioned few which were sustaining our lands are almost extinct since the eagerness







of lumbering is outweighing the tendencies of reforestation(a negative attitude on the side of

timber companies in Ghana).This destruction has gone to the extent that shortage of trees has

compelled some unscrupulous humanities to scoop away young trees left in the semi-

deciduous forest and shrubs to the inclusion of the rich economic trees which was initially

protected and conserved as significant and live supporting assets.Nonetheless,the current rate

of forest degradation and deforestation is computed to an approximate figure of 65,000

hectares yearly(per-annum) of which solitary of the key causes has been prima facie

documented to be illegal chainsaw operation and milling. In accordance with existing

statistics,illigal chainsaw operation alone accounts for about 84% of local lumber supply with

an envisaged carbon trade cost of 497,000 cubic metres and a market value Gh¢279million

(US$200million).

What is an economic tree? Do you have any knowledge of their existence at all?

The meaning and major types of economic trees on the lands of Ghana

This article, however, is putting much emphasis on the vegetation cover of Ghana which is

been exploited in a jeopardy to the detriment of her citizenry of which the few economic trees

that were initially protect by the laws of Ghana are not spared with this over-exploitation.

Economic trees in this context to my candid opinion are special trees that bear specific

fruits in a form of food or medicine which an ordinary person in the place where this

trees are located could benefit economically, medically or for proper nourishment. It

may sound so strange in an arguable manner to a mere farmer that most trees bear fruits pg. 3 Type of document: Article






which can be taken as food or could be used for medicinal purposes but this article is to

reveal to the public the major economic trees which you may think not even important to be

found on your lands because perhaps you do not use it or know what it can do for you as a

being. These major economic trees emphasized by this article are the Dawadawa tree,

Prekese and the Shea Butter tree. One may ask how major and economic are these trees from

our Mangoes, pear, Pawpaw and Cola nut trees? I also ask that are you then aware that across

the seven continents of the world, there are only two countries in the world on which Prekese

and the Shea Butter trees could be found?. These countries are Israel and Ghana and this

shows how major they are economically from the aforementioned ones we all know. Their

scarcity in nature necessitated for their conservation, preservation and sustainability but to

our disadvantage, these trees have become the target of lumbers and charcoal burners not

forgotten fire wood fetchers in our various communities who have resorted solely to these

beneficial trees just to exploit them to the detriment of Ghanaians for some present values

without considering the unborn generation. Among the three major trees in Ghana, the Shea

butter tree is the most scarcely plant in Ghana since it is found mostly and only in the

Northern Part of the country thus Northern region, Upper West Region and the Upper East

Region with few found in the northern fringes of Brong Ahafo Region and Ashanti region

specifically Agogo Asante Akyem and Kumawu Townships respectively. In the nineteenth

century, per the forestry commission annual report, the northern regions were having about

87% of the their lands been covered with the Shea butter tree but currently per my personal

observation through transect walk in a one year community stay in some major communities pg. 4 Type of document: Article






in the northern region which covers the highest percentage of Ghana’s land mark. Per my

visitations to most of the towns in the northern region for my six years stay in the Northern

region specifically Wa in the upper west region these trees have reduced to about 32%

leaving most of the lands in the northern region to desert and grasses and there is no wonder

the regions are the hottest regions in Ghana with an average temperature ranging between 38-

42 annually coupled with gradual reduction of rainfall pattern as they have only one rainfall

season which falls between April to September annually. This in a long run seems to be

influencing climate change which has been the stem on which heat generation and high

carbon dioxide accumulation stands thereby increasing global warming and its associated

ailments such as the initial skin rushes and Cerebro Spinal Meningitis Common in the

Northern Part of the Country. Moreover, the current Pneumococcal Meningitis which is

killing hundreds across the regions of the country cannot be counted out of the cankers of

climate change.

In spite of these challenges in the north, the few Shea butter and Prekese as well as Dawada

trees in Ashanti region are getting extinct from their semi-deciduous forests because per my

interview with some farmers in Agogo and Kumawu area, most of them do not even know

that the fruits from the Shea tree is nutritious and as the raw material for Shea butter

production.

Specific Functions of the three major economic trees blessed with Ghana. pg. 5 Type of document: Article






The functions of Shea butter tree

i. Their fruits serve as food to most people in the three northern region of Ghana especially

women and children who are vulnerable to hunger during the planting or sowing season when

yam, maize and guinea corn which are staple foods are yet be harvested.

ii. Their seeds are used for the production of Shea butter of which almost every household

(women to be specific) in the northern part of Ghana sell to make an ends meet. It also

contributes to about 15% of Ghana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through the export of it.

iii. Their leaves are used for the treatment of Jaundice and typhoid while the back of the tree

is used to treat scorpion sting and snake bite

iv. The butter is used in the preparation of most cosmetics in the country such as cocoa-butter

and ointments that are used in the treatment of swells of all kinds and treatment of general

body pains.

v.The oil produced from the butter is used for the preparation of most foods in the northern

part of the country and beyond while serving as a hair food and cream for about 85% of the

household in the three northern regions of the country.

vi.The trunk of the tree is the most quality among all woods when processed into boards and

plywood for the building of ships and boats as well as other furniture in room and offices and

hence perfect for the construction of buildings of all kinds from columns to roofing

indigenously and internationally







Functions of the Dawadawa tree

I. It is the only tree in the world that is processed to give the flavour of any kind of meat or

fish when used in the preparation of soup and stew.

ii.The pericarp is rich of calcium and good to mix it to the feeds of poultry birds and livestock

for commercial and small scale production while their seeds cures kwashiorkor and anaemia

in children.

iii.The mesocarp is taken as a fruit in a form of toffee which is good to take when a person

lost his or her appetite or when recovering from an ailment.

iii.the epycarp is rich of calcium and good to mix it to the feeds of poultry birds and livestock

for commercial and small scale production.

iv.When it is processed into food its intake is a good treatment for stomach ulcer and cancer.

v.It is one of the most nutritious seeds which cures kwashiorkor and anaemia in children

among the local settlers in Ghana according to their herbalists.

vi.the Back of the tree when pounded and boiled and lemon juice is added is a good medicine

for fever and typhoid, Just to mention few.

The functions of the Prekese tree







i.It is one of the most valuable raw materials for the brewery industries across the world

which is very limited in supply since it is found in only two countries in the world as

mentioned above.

ii. Its fruits when properly ripped is the chief of all spices one can think of which is naturally

produced and hence called ‘’African Spices’’

iii.When added to the preparation of foods it has been scientifically tested to be a good

medicine to cure and reduce diabetes mellitus I and II as well as been good for maintaining

the level of blood pressure in human.

iv.It is one of the most valuable raw materials for the brewery industries across the world

which is very limited in supply since it is found in only two countries in the world as

mentioned above.

v.It contains some tinny seeds that are used medically for the treatment of skin diseases and

scarce when honey is added while the cover or husk is used as a manure for the cultivation of

onion when applied to the soil.

vi.When it is brewed alone with water in a bottle or container it cures fever and allows for

free bowels.

vi.The fruit when dried is good for the treatment of coccidiosis and Gumboro diseases in

poultry birds when put in their water.







Why and how the over-exploitation of these scarce economic trees?

With respect to the various functions provided by the three important economic trees in

Ghana, it is apparent and inevitably obvious that these tree must be protected through

conservation and preservation so as to ensure its existence for both the present and the future

generation. However, the situation in Ghana is different as these trees have become the target

of lumbers and charcoal burners and as a results these trees are been over exploited to

extinction. Using the northern region as the focal point,initially,farmers in the region used to

farm around and under the trees without burning or cutting them but currently with personal

observation, the Shea butter has become the only available tree targeted by charcoal burners

in the region leading to their gradual extinction since demand for charcoal has increased for

that specific tree.Moreover,in Asante Akyem Agogo and Kumawu enclaves, these Shea

butter trees are seriously been over-exploited by lumbers from China and Japan who are

resorting on the chiefs through the payment of token and per my interview with one sub-chief

in one of the small towns in the district he was given three hundred Ghana cedis (Gh¢300) for

about two(2) hectares of land which was estimated to have more than 950 trees of Shea butter

when I personally went to the farm last year. So how long shall we sit and fold our arms for

this foreigners to supress our development through land degradation and deforestation? Is

very excruciating to see how our natural medicinal plants are been destroyed especially the

Shea butter and the Dawadawa trees by charcoal burners and farmers as well as timber

operators including Chinese and Japanese companies who are buying these trees at cheaper







prices for the building of ships and manufacturing of cars and boats in their countries. So

currently most of the matured trees which were bearing fruits in tons have been cut by

lumbers and the few left overs are been exploited to extinction by indigenous charcoal

burners. The worst of it all is that places where there are total extinction of these Prekese,

Dawadawa and Shea butter trees, the people have been cutting the few mango trees in and

alongside foot paths and roads linking the small villages in Agogo and its hinterlands for

charcoal burning. It is upon this unbearable situation that I wish to write this article to bring

to the notice of the good people of Ghana the current state of the forest cover (economic

trees) in our country and how to sustain them if not in totality the most precious economic

trees in Ghana which is of common value to the citizens in Ghana, Africa and the people of

the world at large. I therefore wish to communicate this information to all Ghanaians

specifically our chiefs, assemblymen, district and municipal chief executive, ministers,

members of parliament and the president who is the custodian of the entire lands to become

aware of where the future of Ghana is heading towards taken these economic trees into

accounts, how they are getting extinct from our lands irrespective of their economic,

biological, cultural and social importance they give to the country. I think most people at

places where these economic trees are found do not know how economically significant these

trees are and hence there must be a stakeholder community based nationwide education for

the purposes of sensitizing the various stakeholders and the country at large on how to

preserve and conserve the trees to ensure their sustainability for the betterment of present

generation without compromising the need for the unborn generation to meet their needs. pg. 10 Type of document: Article






Recommended strategies to mitigate the overexploitation of or economic trees.

Forest resources could be protected quantitatively using economic and mathematical

computation by way of setting a specific rate of trading among forest and timber industries.

In the perspective of the economics, this quantitative application and computation used in the

proterctection, conservation and preservation of forest resources is called discounting.

Discounting in this juncture is the application of time value of money (based on the

principle that money today is worthier than money tomorrow) in the computation of present

values of assets using specific interest rates such that the future value of an asset is could be

calculated today using a certain date. The life span of such environmental asset is very useful

in the computation of the present value of the asset. It could be simply done in a manner that

the number years that environmental asset could exist or the targeted years speculated by the

owners of the asset below or above which sellers or owners are unwilling to release such an

assets is considered and brought to the present date using some scientific and logical

procedures backed by some mathematical formulas. The specific mathematical formula

available in the parlance of property or environmental asset valuation is the simple

Present value formula given as =PV¿ 1A x FV where

1 = constant proportion representing the value of the asset pg. 11 Type of document: Article






A= the factor –A = (1+i) n

i= the rate

n= terms (years of the asset in consideration)

FV =future Value of the asset.

This formula is based on the principle that the lower the rate of interest the higher the price or

the present value of that environmental asset since there is an inverse relationship the value of

the asset and the interest rate.

How to apply the Present value method in the Preservation and conservation of forest

resources.

Most of the economic trees considered in this article are perpetual assets since they do not

have specific date of extinction if all thing being equal (ceteris Paribus).But let assume an

economic tree like the Shea butter tree which is now been overexploited by Chinese and

Japanese companies for the building of ships and boats in a form of timber could exist for 60

years before it could naturally reach its dormancy period

(a period in flowering plant where plants stop growing and begins to die off gradually)

and the trees are now 25 years now and the government have pecked a rate of 5% with

a an expected future of GH¢400,000 (4000 trees per hectare with an average cost of a







tree been GH¢100).So we aim at getting the present value of the trees if it is to be cut

today by the company in need.

Notation

i = 0.05

FV = GH¢400,000

n= 35 years

PV =?

So PV = 1A x FV

PV= 1

(1+i) or 1/ (1+ i) n

(1+ 0.05)35 = 5.5160

So PV = 1

(5.5160) = 0.1813

Hence PV =1

(5.5160 )×400000

But 1

(5.5160) = 0.1813

So PV =0.1813 ×400000 = GH¢ 72,516.316 pg. 13 Type of document: Article






Thus GH¢ 72,500.00 approximate monetary present value (valuation standard) .This simply

means that a hectare of a Shea tree which is worth 400,000 in 2061 could be sold today as

GH¢ 72,500.00 .The value seems to be small compare to the future value yet if it is applied

on the actual grounds and the settlers or land owners becomes aware through education, it

could prevent this companies from given just cola nut and a bottle of hard drinks to chiefs

and odikuros and taken these trees for free with a lot of negative aftermaths externalities on

the people and the environment of which climate change is not an exception. This is the

power of discounting in forest conservation and reservation which is a strategy been used by

the western world and they have been capable of sustaining their economic trees such as the

Pep wood in the Mediterranean vegetation that is used in the production of papers on a

commercial bases.

So the government of Ghana could do same by reducing the interest rate say 2% and the

value would increase to 200,011.0453 (GH¢ 200,000).But any increase in the rate say 10%

would reduce the present value to 14233.6411(GH¢ 14000).So it is obvious that if the

government of Ghana is really committed to preserve our forests, they would peg a rate very

low like (0.3%) and you could see how the present values of the economic trees would be

augmented and as such serves as a disincentive to this exploitive companies thereby

preserving and conserving our forest( economic trees) for the purses their sustainability. But

this companies normally come with a high rate in favour of their interest to bully the innocent

farmers and landowners who does not actually no the relationship between the rate of the







interest and the future value of the environmental assets and if this is seriously checked and

applied in a perfect manner, it would deter especially the minor companies who are the most

predominate in this exploitation from destroying our scarce economic trees. Aside the

application of the discounting, the application of the cost benefit analysis could also be used

as a strategy to stop exploiters from destroying our trees by way of evaluating between there

economic benefits of the exploitation and the benefit of it on the environment and on the

people such that when the cost of replenishing the trees are higher the benefit associated with

their exploitation.

Conclusion.

The awful nature of the state of our vegetation cover taken into consideration the scarce

economic trees is so intense and must be mitigated. However, the various functions

performed by the three economic trees basically their economic functions as providing jobs

for the vulnerable especially women in the northern part of the country as well as the

medicinal functions and not forgetting their nutritional values when taken as foods in the

various forms and kinds. It therefore necessitate that much must be done to sustain their

presence on our lands. Where would then be our future if all this trees get extinct from our

lands? Wouldn’t it rather do us more harm than good? As it would increase both rural to rural

and urban migration coupled with its associated social vices and economic hardship and

burden on the few available social amenities in the cities thereby reducing our national

income and hence retardating our economic growth and development. The rationale behind







the publication of this article is to bring to the notice of the stakeholders the importance of the

economic trees and how far their rich medicinal economic trees have gone extinct and the

need to conserve them for sustainability purposes. It therefore necessitate for nationwide

stakeholder community based education by way of sensitizing the people of Ghana on how

special Prekese, Dawadawa and Shea Butter trees are especially in the northern region of

Ghana where the Shea butter trees for instance cover about 85% of their forest cover and the

need to sustain them to enhance economic development of the vulnerable women in the

region and the nation at large. This when effectively done would mitigate climate change

which has become a global concern resulting from low carbon sink capabilities caused by

high rate of land degradation and deforestation of our forest cover.







article by ampofo agyei justice

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