Asaase Yaa, the name given to land in Ghana, makes it feminine, indicating the intricate link between women and nature. Asaase Yaa, the mother that gives in abundance, is gradually being destroyed due to mankind’s insatiable greed and unsustainable land use practices.
Ghana, known for its rich biodiversity and lush landscapes, faces significant environmental challenges. Illegal mining, locally known as “galamsey,” illegal logging, unsustainable agricultural practices and other unsustainable land use practices have led to widespread deforestation, land degradation and biodiversity loss.
Tackling these issues requires a multifaceted approach, and one crucial stakeholder often overlooked is the role of women. Integrating women into landscape restoration efforts is not just a matter of gender equality; it is essential for achieving Ghana’s environmental goals and ensuring sustainable development.
Forest Loss and National Commitments
According to Global Forest Watch, between 2001 and 2022, Ghana lost approximately 1.41 million hectares of tree cover, representing about 20% of its total tree cover. This deforestation directly threatens Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, which aims to reduce emissions by 15% by 2030, with conditional targets of up to 45% reduction depending on international support. This cannot be achieved without consciously including women in integrated landscape management actions.
The Critical Role of Women
Women in Ghana are uniquely positioned to contribute to landscape restoration due to their roles in managing natural resources and agricultural activities. According to data from Statista, about 41% of Ghanaian women are employed in the farming, forestry, and fisheries sector as of 2021. This makes them key stakeholders in government efforts to reduce deforestation caused by agriculture and other unsustainable land use practices.
Women farmers can adopt and promote sustainable farming practices, such as agroforestry and organic farming, which enhance soil health and biodiversity while reducing deforestation.
Despite traditional barriers that prevent women from owning lands in Ghana, women still play a critical role in conserving land and biodiversity in Ghana. Women often possess indigenous farming knowledge, such as agroforestry, crop rotation, and mixed cropping. These nature-based solutions conserve land and enhance ecosystem resilience and productivity, demonstrating how traditional knowledge and practices are essential for sustainable landscape management. Integrating these methods into broader conservation strategies can significantly contribute to Ghana’s environmental and agricultural sustainability.
Women often bring innovative approaches to environmental challenges, developing new methods for restoring degraded lands and managing natural resources more effectively.
Further, Ghanaian women are responsible for providing fuelwood for domestic cooking, smoking fish, and other commercial uses. This significantly contributes to carbon emissions and deforestation. To achieve the emission reduction targets under the NDCs, the government is promoting clean cooking. However, without proper consultation and inclusion of women in the development and design of these clean cook initiatives, it is likely to fail since they are the end users of the innovations.
Overcoming Barriers
Despite the vital role women play in landscape restoration and conservation, they face several barriers, including limited access to land, financial resources, and education, as well as cultural norms that restrict their involvement in decision-making processes. Addressing these barriers is essential to unlocking the full potential of women in landscape restoration.
A Call to Action
To achieve Ghana’s NDC targets and ensure sustainable landscape restoration and biodiversity conservation, it is crucial to integrate women into all levels of environmental decision-making. This includes empowering women with access to land, financial resources, and education to enable their active participation in restoration projects. Conscious efforts must be made by the government and other stakeholders to promote gender-inclusive policies, developing and implementing policies encouraging women’s involvement in landscape management and decision-making processes. Also, encouraging and supporting women in leadership roles within communities and organizations focused on environmental restoration.
Conclusion
By embracing the contributions of women, Ghana can enhance its landscape restoration efforts, ensuring a healthier and more sustainable environment for future generations. Integrating women into the decision-making processes of landscape management will lead to more resilient ecosystems and communities, driving the nation towards a sustainable future. National actors and CSOs have a crucial role to play in supporting and promoting these efforts, ensuring that Ghana not only meets its environmental targets but also sets an example for sustainable development worldwide.
