Socio-cultural Factors and Land Degradation in the South Tongu District of Ghana: Some Implications for Resource Protection and Environmental Health

South Tongu District, like most districts in the savannah ecological zone of Ghana, is planning to counteract its rapidly deteriorating catchment, on which it depends as a resource base for food supply, through the establishment of afforestation and other conservation programmes. This paper argues that a good understanding of socio-cultural factors would help shape the formulation and subsequent implementation of conservation programmes. It identifies and sheds light on how some key socio-cultural factors (notably tenure) promote deforestation and land degradation in South Tongu District. It further points out some implications of degradation for resource protection and environmental health, which need to be considered when formulating a catchment management plan. It concludes by identifying some possible policy measures as a way forward in promoting sustainable catchment management in the district.