INFLUENCE OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES ON THE MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION OF FOREST ECOSYS

1
INFLUENCE OF TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND
PRACTICES ON THE MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION OF
FOREST ECOSYSTEMS IN GHANA
2
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
3
INTRODUCTION
4
Contd.
5
Methodology Desk Studies and Field Experiences
6
DESK STUDIES
7
Gradually TK. Being Eroded by Multiple Factors
8
Case 1 Communities indigenous knowledge of
managing sacred groves for ecotourism. Omanhene
and Mprisi sacred groves are located in Western
and Brong Ahafo regions respectively in Ghana.
9
What has kept these groves intact ?
10
Guest house and summer hut of Buoyem ecotourism.
11
CASE 2 Communities domestication and
management of NTFPs on farmlands in Assin
Akropong community. Observed during
Forest-Poverty linkages studies in Ghana in
2007. 
12
Case 3Mangrove forest fringe communities rich
traditional knowledge of the ecological and
socio-economic factors for the conservation and
management of mangroves in Nzema East and
Mfantseman Districts
13
Communities IK on uses/benefits of mangroves.
Nzema-East district, mangroves are locally known
as nateke, nsuduri in the Mfantseman
district
14
Communities Indigenous Ecological Knowledge on
Mangroves. Rhizophora sp, Laguncularia racemosa
and Avicennia germinans respectively (Hussein,
1995).
.
15
Preferred environment and population trend
Phenology from local perspectives
16
Communities IK on Mangroves Role in Environmental
Stability
17
Communities I K on Mangrove Management
18
Indigenous Practices for Conservation of Mangroves

• Two Rivers viewed as a deities. Amansure River
  is thought to be the abode of a number of
  powerful local gods
• black colour to distinguish itself.
• deep river and thus not explored during the wet
  season for fear of sinking to irretrievable
  depth.
• specific days are set aside as taboo days
• sanction and payment of four (4) bottles of
  Castle Bridge Gin.

19
Has TK received the necessary recognition? Is
there a gleam for integrating T.K with S.K?

• In spite of the many perceived defects of
  traditional knowledge, it can complement modern
  science when it is carefully matched with
  scientific data and applied in policies governing
  forest ecosystem management.

20
How? adapting IIRR five steps process.
21
Contd.
22
Conclusion
23
Acknowledgement
24
THANK YOU
25
Literature cited

• CONDEF- WFMP/FC (2007) identification of
  appropriate legislation to support wildfire
  management incentive schemes. Wildfire Management
  Project Forestry Commission
• Ghana Association for the Conservation of Nature
  Buoyem By-laws 2000
• GACON-GEF Indigenous Byelaws and Taboos
  Conserving the Omanhene Sacred Grove (2004)
• Hens Luc (2006) Indigenous knowledge and
  Biodiversity conservation and management in
  Ghana. J. Hum.Ecol., 20(1) 21-30.
• Hviding, E. and G. Baines. 1996. Custom and
  complexity marine tenure, fisheries management
  and conservation in Marovo Lagoon, Solomon
  Islands. In Howitt, R. et al. (eds) Resources,
  Nations and Indigenous Peoples Case Studies from
  Australasia, Melanesia and Southeast Asia. Oxford
  University Press, AustraliaInternational
  Institute of Rural Reconstruction. 1998.
  Participatory Methods in Community-based Coastal
  Resource Management. 3 volumes. Silang, Cavite,
  Philippines
• IIRR (1996). Recording and using indigenous
  knowledge International Institute of Rural
  Reconstruction. Silang, Cavite, Philippines.
• Hussain M.Z. 1990. Restoration and Expansion of
  the Mangrove Belt in Guyana.