Ghana: Multi-stakeholder Participation in VPA

Process: Lessons for REDD

Forest Carbon Partnership Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) Participants Facility (FCPF) Participants Committee, 2Committee, 2ndnd Meeting, Meeting,

Gamboa, Panama, 11-13 March Gamboa, Panama, 11-13 March 20092009

Robert Bamfo, Forestry Commission

INTRODUCTION • Ghana’s VPA process was reasonably open and

participatory. It involved direct participation of NGOs, trade unions, academic and research institutions and most importantly forest community representatives (from both timber and non-timber areas).

• After almost two years of negotiations, VPA commits the government of Ghana to a further participatory review of sector policy, legislation and institutions over a three to five year period. This for Ghana CSOs and forest community representatives is its most significant achievement.

The VPA!

The Perception before VPA

Govt.Govt.

IndustryIndustry

Stool Land OwnersStool Land Owners

Civil SocietyCivil Society

Forest CommunitiesForest Communities

Case of multi-stakeholder participation in the VPA

• Phase 1;Dec 2003-April 2007 (technical)-largely internal government process-no inclusion of broader civil society• Phase 2; April 2007-June 2008 (consultative)– Start-up discussions with the EU on a VPA in December

2006. – EU’s requirement for creation of VPA in countries was

consultations with different sectors of society to develop the country’s negotiation position.

- Broader inclusion of CS groups- Stronger CS activity

Governance Platform Laid Down by the VPA

VPA Process

VPA Consultative Process • Consultation plan put in place and consultative

meetings held to solicit general feedback on stakeholders’ concerns and aspirations for a VPA in Ghana and submission to VPA Steering Committee: – Civil society: 30 July - 3 August 2007 – Private sector: 24 - 26 September 2007 – Traditional Authorities (National House of Chiefs): 6

December 2007 – Internal meetings with FC staff across the country

for feedback on VPA process

Successes of Multi-stakeholder Involvement

• The process of broader stakeholder consultations significantly altered final outcomes of the VPA process:

-governance vision, legal definition of timber, legality assurance system, industry restructuring and the domestic market situation.

• A greater awareness of the role of civil society in policy making and agenda setting considering the degree to which it engaged a wide variety of stakeholders.

• A greater acceptance of the role of external stakeholders in the policy process

Challenges • What does ‘consultation’ mean?-VPA SC reps- how were they feeding back?-depth and process of consultation differedFor example, it was not clear what were the specific roles

and responsibilities of representatives on the VPA SC in terms of taking information back to their constituents and soliciting their feedback

No clear guidance about how the consultations should occur, there were varying degrees in the quality and quantity of engagement within different stakeholder groups.

• Unclear how the VPA institutional structure incorporated stakeholder comments into on- going discussions

Challenges cont’d• Frequent change of timelines and deadlines

frustrated and /or rushed consultations• Insufficient funding for intra- stakeholder group

discussions and consensus building• Institutional structure technically focused• Representation-of interests or of numbers?-is information flow sufficient? -are feedback mechanisms available? Working?

accountable?Shortcomings will be addressed and consultations

would be improved in future processes.

Lessons Learnt• Real community buy-in is necessary for

success in any consultation process• Social contract can only be achieved in a

participatory manner• Institutional structure should actively express

the values of consultation but have political clout

• Civil society is interested and willing to work- , communities, academics, land owners, etc

• Put some action into the proposed policy, legislative and institutional review process agreed under the VPA

Factors for REDD Readiness Consultations

• Begin with the consultative process-what is it we want to do with REDD? What are the issues? Current condition of national forests Current policies and legislation to halt deforestation and forest degradation Drivers of deforestation and forest degradation Land tenure, carbon rights Forest governance Inclusiveness in the design and implementation of REDD strategies Equitable benefit sharing mechanisms Reliable monitoring, reporting and verification systems to account for CO2

emissions and removals due to changes in forest cover and changes in carbon stocks on a timely basis at the national level

• Construct a stakeholder process• Keep the consultation fluid• Put in place a workable institutional set up• Re-think tenure and community rights. REDD depends on clarification and

protection of carbon property rights (including community rights)• R-Plan calls for multiple stakeholder participation in developing the REDD strategy• Accountability, transparency, compliance, conflict resolution procedures, etc. are

necessary

10 Principles for ConsultationREDD process will adopt the following principles for effective

consultative process:1. Engage diverse stakeholders 2. Institute reliable operating structure and process

management 3. Practice transparency 4. Use effective communication channels 5. Foster focus on interests, not positions or personalities 6. Allow for independent verification7. Be responsive to all concerns8. Make use of existing networks9. Incorporate capacity building 10. Allow for process adjustments

REDD & VPA

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REDD & VPA cont’d

• Since the two processes have similar aims, VPA measures can pave the way for REDD – which could help pay for VPA

CONCLUSIONSome conclusionsfCCCccon• Clear opportunities exist for REDD to build up on the

VPA governance platform as well as link up with policy initiatives/reforms under the VPA

• REDD should be as a major incentive for improved governance

• Clarification of carbon rights and tenure is fundamental

• Broad stakeholder consultation and participation in the formulation & implementation of national REDD strategy is key

• Appropriate consultation processes at national and local institutions will be an essential part of Readiness Plan

END

Thank you for your attention