Designing a multiple stakeholder dialogue - initial lessons learnt in navigating through conflicts in the Ghana forestry sector

The 5 year project (2007 – 2012) to “Develop alternatives for illegal chainsaw lumbering through multi-stakeholder dialogue in Ghana and Guyana” is implemented by a consortium of partners7 to address the degradation of natural forests in both countries. Both Guyana and Ghana show a high incidence of chainsaw lumbering. While in Guyana the practice is legal and controlled, in Ghana it is banned since 19988. However, in many forest fringe communities, chainsaw lumbering is an important source of livelihood despite the high level of conflict associated with the practice. Chainsaw lumbering, which refers to on-site conversion of logs into lumber using chainsaws for commercial purposes, offers livelihood opportunities to large rural groups, who are often living in places that offer few alternatives.