On gender and social inclusion in Ghana’s landscape management policies: addressing the gaps will pave the way for inclusive and sustainable management, benefitting landscapes[...]

Ghana is endowed with abundant natural landscape resources, featuring diverse ecosystems and natural resources such as forests, savannahs, river systems, mineral deposits, wetlands, and rich biodiversity that sustain various livelihood activities. These landscapes face increasing pressure due to heightened demand for natural resources driven by population growth, climate change impacts and anthropogenic activities. Sustainable management practices are crucial to ensure the long-term well-being of these landscapes and the communities that depend on them. However, achieving this sustainability requires more than just technical solutions. It necessitates diverse perspectives, equitable decision-making, and the inclusion of all stakeholders. This is where Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) comes to the forefront.

A recent study conducted by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), under the CGIAR Initiative on West and Central African Food Systems Transformation, examined the extent of GESI integration in landscape management-related policies in Ghana. The study focused on national and sectoral policies while drawing on the Ahafo Ano South West District (AASWD) Medium Term Development Plan as a district-level case study. By identifying potential gaps in alignment across different levels of governance, the study aims to contribute to fostering inclusive and sustainable landscape management in Ghana. This blog post delves into the study's findings, providing insights on how stakeholders can work towards developing more inclusive and effective landscape management policies for sustainable development in Ghana.