Aligning conservation goals with forest livelihood needs: Using local perspectives to inform policy and practice in Ghana

Like many African countries, balancing conservation goals with the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities remains a persistent challenge in Ghana's Bia Biosphere Reserve (BBR). Usually, conservation policies sideline local knowledge, creating tensions between ecological preservation and economic survival. This study examines how integrating local perspectives into forest governance can bridge these gaps, fostering policies that support biodiversity and community well-being. The study gathered insights from 100 participants across five forest-dependent communities using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Thematic analysis uncovered three critical challenges in aligning conservation goals with forest livelihood needs. First is the erosion of traditional ecological practices that have historically sustained biodiversity and local livelihoods. Second, the deepening of economic hardship due to restrictive conservation measures and inadequate access to viable alternative income sources. Third, persistent governance failures are marked by inequitable policy enforcement and the systematic exclusion of marginalized voices from decision-making processes. Given the government of Ghana's formal recognition of traditional knowledge, this study recommends that these commitments be deepened. Specifically, efforts must be directed toward a more robust integration of traditional ecological knowledge, strengthening local governance structures, and expanding genuinely participatory decision-making mechanisms to ensure inclusive and adaptive conservation outcomes. The study underscores the urgent need to redefine conservation as a collaborative pursuit that balances ecological sustainability with human well-being. This calls for inclusive policies integrating local knowledge, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and safeguarding economic security. Future research should explore the long-term viability and scalability of such integrative conservation models through cross-regional, mixed-methods, and longitudinal studies, thereby deepening our understanding of how localized strategies can inform broader policy frameworks that are both ecologically sound and socially just.