Forest transition through reforestation policy integration: A comparative study between Ghana and the Republic of Korea

Deforestation and forest degradation severely devastated forestlands in Ghana and the Republic of Korea (ROK) in the 1990s and 1950s, respectively. However, through government intervention in the form of an integrated reforestation policy and programs, both countries have restored their degraded forestlands and increased their forest cover. We analyzed the reforestation policy and programs implemented in Ghana using the theory of policy integration and compared it to the successful case of the ROK. We observed that Ghana used the vertical policy integration approach to drive forest transition, unlike the ROK, which used the horizontal policy integration approach. Both countries used similar strategies to implement the integrated reforestation policy and programs, including coordinated national forestation plans, collaboration among ministries and departments, and organizational reform. This integrated approach facilitated the successful implementation of the reforestation programs in Ghana and the ROK. Government intervention through an integrated reforestation policy and programs is an innovative way to slow the rate of deforestation and enhance economic development. This paper may contribute to the literature on how reforestation policy integration can reduce deforestation and achieve forest transition, especially in developing countries.