Abstract:
Economic trees play important role in household livelihood, sustainable land use, land
rehabilitation and environmental sustainability as a whole. In the Wa West District, Shea
and Dawadawa trees are key economic trees from which households rely on for living.
However, the method and purpose of utilization of these economic trees creates conflicting
objectives for different actors. Besdies, empirical studies on the utilization of economic
tress in the area are limited, making it inconclusive how people exploit Shea and
Dawadawa trees for their living. The purpose of this study was therefore, to examine the
actors, drivers, and impact of shea and dawadawa trees utilization in the Wa West District.
This is a descriptive study that drawn cross-sectional data from 185 households and key
stakeholders in the Wa West District. The respondents were selected using probability and
on-probability sampling procedures. The primary data were collected using questionnaire,
interview schedule, and Focus Group Discussion. The results were analysed using
qualitative and quantitative methods. The results indicate that the key actors of shea and
dawadawa trees utilization are women, men, and children. Besides, some groups of people
that play key roles in the utilization of these trees include shea nut processors, dawadawa
processors, chainsaw operators, charcoal producers, farmers, estate developers, carvers,
and Fulani herdsmen. The activities they engaged in include; dawadawa processing, shea
nut picking, processing and selling, Shea butter processes and soap making, medication,
firewood gathering, tree logging and charcoal burning/production. These activities serves
as livelihood activities, food and income generation for households in the area. On the other
hand, utilization of the trees has negative impact on the environment such as destruction of
economic trees, bushfires, and deforestation. This threatens the lives of those whose
livelihoods are entirely dependent on the environment. The study concludes that rural
households depend on the natural assets of their immediate environment but the current
methods of utilization by key actors have not been sustainable and future development
potentials from utilization of these trees will soon be lost. The weakness associated with
local and state institutions has translated into the mode of operations of key actors in the
utilization of economic trees. The findings of the study have implication for policy for the
sustainability of livelihood activities, traditional medicine and environment of the area.
Description:
A dissertation in the Department of CONSTRUCTION AND WOOD
TECHNOLOGY, Faculty of TECHNICAL EDUCATION, submitted to the School
of Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba, in partial fulfilment of the
requirements for the award of Master of Technology Education (Wood) degree
JULY, 2018