Abstract

This study assessed the type, origin, nature, level and the effect of the conflicts on the development of the Kogyae Strict Nature Reserve (KSNR) in Ghana. It also examined constraints confronting effective conflict management in KSNR and made policy recommendations to help curtail the conflicts. Data for the study were obtained through interviews with the stakeholders as well as on-site observation. The results revealed that structural conflict was the major type of conflict characterizing the conflicts in the KSNR. This conflict mainly originated from weak enforcement of resource laws, absence of conflict management mechanism, land litigation and demographic changes. These together with inadequate source of livelihood and imposition of policy without effective participation of stakeholders have increased illegal activities including hunting and encroachment, resulting in uncontrolled conflicts in the KSNR. The study recommends that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources establishes a legislative instrument to put in place a well-structured conflict mechanism to address conflicts in natural resource areas. In the short term, regular conservation education programmes should be embarked on in the fringe communities for the people to appreciate the need for natural resource sustainability.

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