This study assessed the value of forest resources to rural households in forest-fringe communities in the Northern Region of Ghana. It also identified the factors that influence the amount of compensation (in terms of money) households were willing to accept to forego or limit the use of forest resources. We collected data from rural households in fringe communities to the Mole National Park and the Kenikeni Forest Reserve. Contingent valuation method was used to estimate the value of forest resources to rural households. Also, the Tobit model was used to investigate the determinants of the value of forest resources. The results show that households are willing to accept an average amount of GH¢3346.26 and GH¢1487.67 as annual compensation to forfeit the exploitation of market and non-market forest resources respectively. The Tobit model results show that education, age, income, farm size, remittances, membership to community-based organizations, access to extension services, distance from forest reserve and livestock wealth are factors influencing the average amount households are willing to accept as compensation. Based on the study outcomes, rural households should be educated on the importance of indirect forest resources. In line with the principle of fairness and equal rights and responsibility, a comprehensive ecological compensation scheme should be included in any ecological environment protection agenda of forest reserve areas. This protection agenda should not exclude households from exploiting non-market forest resources.

这项研究评估了加纳北部地区森林边缘社区的森林资源对农村家庭的价值。它还确定了影响家庭愿意放弃或限制使用森林资源的补偿金额（以货币计）的因素。我们从边缘社区的农村家庭到data鼠国家公园和Kenikeni森林保护区的数据进行了收集。采用或有估值法来估算森林资源对农户的价值。此外，使用Tobit模型调查森林资源价值的决定因素。结果表明，农户愿意平均每年支付GH¢3346.26和GH¢1487.67作为补偿，以分别剥夺市场和非市场森林资源的开发。Tobit模型的结果表明，教育程度，年龄，收入，农场规模，汇款，加入社区组织的会员资格，获得推广服务的机会，与森林保护区的距离以及牲畜财富是影响家庭平均愿意接受的平均补偿金额的因素。根据研究结果，应该对农村家庭进行间接森林资源重要性的教育。按照公平，平等的权利和责任原则，在森林保护区的任何生态环境保护议程中都应纳入全面的生态补偿计划。该保护议程不应将家庭排除在非市场森林资源的开发之外。距离森林保护区和牲畜财富的距离是影响家庭愿意接受作为补偿的平均金额的因素。根据研究结果，应该对农村家庭进行间接森林资源重要性的教育。按照公平，平等的权利和责任原则，在森林保护区的任何生态环境保护议程中都应纳入全面的生态补偿计划。该保护议程不应将家庭排除在非市场森林资源的开发之外。距离森林保护区和牲畜财富的距离是影响家庭愿意接受作为补偿的平均金额的因素。根据研究结果，应该对农村家庭进行间接森林资源重要性的教育。按照公平，平等权利和责任原则，在森林保护区的任何生态环境保护议程中都应纳入全面的生态补偿计划。该保护议程不应将家庭排除在非市场森林资源的开发之外。按照公平，平等的权利和责任原则，在森林保护区的任何生态环境保护议程中都应纳入全面的生态补偿计划。该保护议程不应将家庭排除在非市场森林资源的开发之外。按照公平，平等的权利和责任原则，在森林保护区的任何生态环境保护议程中都应纳入全面的生态补偿计划。该保护议程不应将家庭排除在非市场森林资源的开发之外。