Influencing REDD+. Stakeholder participation in Ghana's REDD+ process

Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is designed to curb the 12%-17% of global greenhouse emissions from forests. Though the mechanism emanated from international UN climate platform, the implementation is realized locally. This has implications for present activities of local communities/Indigenous Peoples who depend on these lands and forests. In addition, the livelihoods and land use decisions of the communities will interface with REDD+. The impacts both REDD+ and livelihood objectives may mutually produce, challenges the dichotomous perspectives of a carbon-centric REDD+. In localizing international REDD+ decisions, it is crucial that stakeholders participate within the design and processes of a mechanism that invariably (re)shapes power relations and affects their interests in the forest resource. Using Ghana's REDD+ 'readiness' process, this paper examines stakeholder participation in the programme. The paper explores and analyses the views of Ghanaian REDD+ stakeholders on participation; how stakeholder groups assert their influence in the process and makes a case for the need to have effective participation for sustainable REDD+ and associated development.