Patterns of land use, crop and forest cover change in the Ashanti region, Ghana

This paper examines the factors which have interacted to alter patterns of land use, crop preference and forest cover between the pre-colonial and post-colonial periods, using the multi-case study and political ecology approach in the Ashanti region, Ghana. The paper observed that changes in land use, crop preference and change in the structure of forest cover are driven by four major factors: a) economic conditions, b) state incentives, c) natural and agro-ecological conditions, d) social factors. The results point out that cocoa was the main source of livelihood for farming households in the region until the 1980s when several farmers switched to oil palm because of its perceived ecologic viability and higher economic returns. The conversion greatly altered the landscape of the region. While highlighting the difficulties posed by uncontrolled land use, crop and forest cover changes, the study concludes that interventions such as promoting sustainable agricultural practices, drought and disease-resistant crop varieties with shorter gestation periods, and environment-friendly off-farm and off-season economic activities are significant in managing and addressing the challenges that result in loss of forest cover.