This toolkit for combating corruption and unacceptable practices in the forest sector of Ghana has been developed drawing heavily on outcomes of multi-stakeholder consultations and field experiences. The document has been produced to enhance the watch-dog role of forest stakeholders as a means of strengthening law enforcement in the sector. It discusses the nature and elements of corruption and unacceptable practices, the causes and consequences and presents the toolkit, which consists of several different tools. The document suggests possible stakeholders that may be best placed to implement the prescriptions. Any toolkit is as good as the extent to which it is applied; it would therefore be very helpful if stakeholder groups could, to the extent possible, incorporate the recommended tools in their normal work plans. In some cases, however, extra resources may be required to implement the recommended tools. Forest managers and civil society groups including forest communities may particularly benefit from the toolkit.

This District Forestry Plan was developed jointly with stakeholders in the Assin District Assembly in Ghana as pilot for developing and integrating forestry programmes into district and national development plans. A District Forestry Plan outlines forests and forest resources in a given district, their contribution to local livelihoods, challenges to their sustainable and equitable management and proposes an action plan for optimizing their contribution to local livelihoods. The plan is expected to serve as guide for the over 170 administrative districts in Ghana for developing their district forestry plans under the leadership of the respective district and municipal administrators. All stakeholders involved in the implementation of the district forestry plan are expected to develop operational plans with budgets for implementing the requisite activities. The document presents sample operational plans for pursuing some activities in the plan for the benefit of users.