Dr. Dumenu is a Research Scientist with a Ph.D. in Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology from the University of Göttingen, Germany. His research focuses on forest policy and economics, NTFP management and valorisation, forest-based entrepreneurship, and forest-based bioeconomy. He adopts an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach, applying quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods in his work.

He has led and contributed to several projects, including the development of benefit-sharing mechanisms and an investment plan for Ghana’s REDD+ program, the assessment of climate change impacts on forest-dependent livelihoods, and efforts to improve the quality and utilization efficiency of baobab products. His work also includes evaluating the organizational health of timber trade federations and assessing the conservation status of endangered tree species, such as Pterocarpus erinaceus and Boswellia spp. (Frankincense).

Dr. Dumenu has taught Forest Management and Governance, and Qualitative Social Research Methods at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. He is a member of IUFRO Research Group 9.04.04 – Forest Resource Economics.

1. Gangata, B., Dumenu, W.K., Munthali, C. & Darr, D. 2024. Business model, strategies and performance of baobab enterprises: Insight for the NTFPs industry. Trees, Forests and People, 16, 100573.
2. Dumenu, W.K., Gyekye, L.A., Paul, C. & Darr, D. 2023. Should forest enterprises formalize? Insight from a multi-dimensional characterisation of informal baobab enterprises. Journal of Forest Policy and Economics, 150, 102935
3. Addaney, M., Jarbandhan, D.B. & Dumenu, W.K. 2023. Climate change in Africa: Adaptation, resilience and policy innovations. Springer Nature Switzerland AG, Cham.
4. Addaney, M., Jarbandhan, D.B. & Dumenu, W.K. 2023. Introduction to climate change, adaptation policy and resilience development in Africa. In: M. Addaney, D.B. Jarbandhan & W.K. Dumenu (Eds.), Climate change in Africa: Adaptation, resilience and policy innovations (pp. 1-9) Springer Nature Switzerland AG, Cham.
5. Darr, D., Dumenu, W.K., Gebauer, J., Kasulo, V., Kleinke, M., Meinhold, K., Munthali, C. & Wichern, F. 2022. The potential of NTFPs to contribute to the bioeconomy transition: the example of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) in Malawi. In: Smith-Hall, C. & Chamberlain, J. (Eds.), The bioeconomy and non-timber forest products (1st ed.) (pp 148-163). Routledge.
6. Meinhold, K., Dumenu, W.K. & Darr, D. 2022. Connecting rural non-timber forest product collectors to global markets: The case of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.). Forest Policy and Economics, 134, 102628.
7. Dumenu, W.K. & Takam Tiamgne, X. 2020. Social vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate change in Zambia: The applicability of social vulnerability index. SN Applied Sciences, 2, 436.
8. Nasser, F., Maguire-Rajpaul, V.A., Dumenu, W.K., & Wong, G.Y. 2020. Climate-smart cocoa in Ghana: How ecological modernization discourses risk side-lining cocoa smallholders. Frontiers In Sustainable Food Systems, 4.
9. Dumenu, W.K. 2019. Assessing the impact of felling/export ban and CITES designation on exploitation of African rosewood (Pterocarpus erinaceus). Biological Conservation, 236, 124–133.
10. Dumenu, W.K. & Obeng, E.A. 2016. Climate change and rural communities in Ghana: Social vulnerability, impacts, adaptations and policy implications. Environmental Science and Policy, 55, 208-217.
11. Dumenu, W.K. & Bandoh, W.N. 2016. Exploitation of African Rosewood (Pterocarpus erinaceus) in Ghana: A situation analysis. Ghana Journal of Forestry 32, 1-15.
12. Dumenu, W.K., Kyereh, B. & Pelz, D.R. 2014. Toward equitable benefit sharing mechanism for Ghana's off-reserve timber resources: Stakeholders perception. Ghana Journal of Forestry, 30(1), 16-33.
13. Dumenu, W.K. 2013. What are we missing? Economic value of an urban forest in Ghana. Ecosystem Services, 5,137–142.
14. Dumenu, W.K., Obeng, A.E., Samar, B.S., Asiedu-Opoku, E. & Owusu-Sekyere, E. 2013. Understanding the dynamics of climate change impact on forest dependent livelihoods in rural Ghana. In: Leal Filho, W. (Ed.), Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management (pp 411-424). Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
15. Oduro, K.A., Foli, E.G. & Dumenu, W.K. 2011. Management for sustainable forestry in other tropical countries: Ghana. In: Werger, Marinus J.A. (Ed.), Sustainable Management of Tropical Rainforests: the CELOS Management System (pp. 242-254). Tropenbos International.

PhD Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology University of Göttingen, Germany (2020-2024)

MSc Forest Ecology and Management University of Freiburg, Germany (2008 – 2010)

BSc Natural Resources Management Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana (2001 – 2006)

Forest policy and economics, management and utilisation of NTFPs, forest-based bioeconomy, climate change mitigation

Policy analysis and impact assessment in forest governance, forest-based entrepreneurship, sustainable utilization and economic potential of NTFPs, climate change mitigation strategies and finance (REDD+, carbon markets)

• Strengthening strategies for reconstitution and sustainable management of African Rosewood (Pterocarpus erinaceus) in sub-Saharan Africa. Funding: ECOWAS PARI
• Social and environmental impact assessment of unsustainable and illegal logging of rosewood. Funding: Environmental Investigation Agency
• Design of a REDD+ benefit-sharing plan for the Ghana Cocoa-Forest REDD+ Programme (GCFRP) area. Funding: Worl Bank/Forestry Commission of Ghana

• Research Staff Association of CSIR (RSA)
• International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO)