HARNESSING SYNERGIES: THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN THE TALENSI-NABDAM DISTRICT, UPPER EAST REGION

Abstract

Government and Non-governmental Organizations have contributed in diverse ways in facilitating communities to use traditional structures, systems and institutions in the management of community natural resources yet very little have been achieved because existing indigenous structures, knowledge systems and institutions in natural resource management over the years are least recognized and integrated in programming NRM issues. This has resulted in unsustainable management of natural resources in the Talensi- Nabdam district. In the light of this, I set out to find answers to the issue of unsustainability in the current management of natural resources by investigating into various systems, structures and forms of natural resource management in the district. To achieve the research goal and objectives, the study used various methods (qualitative and quantitative) in data collection and analyses. These included Case Studies, Focus Group Discussions, Observations, In-depth interviews and Questionnaires among others. The main findings were that ownership and control of forest and wildlife resources are perceived as vested in government, hence, communities in the reserve have limited use and access over the resources. Second, the findings also showed that, the spiritual world is the driving force that regulates the performance of other institutions in the management of natural resources in the district. Third, males dominate in natural resources management issues and decisions in the district. The gendered nature of cultural rights limits the extent to which women use, control and manage natural resources. Fourth, the perception that traditional institutions lack knowledge of existing government policies on NRM issues was found to be untrue in the study district because 75%of the respondents were found to be knowledgeable on the existence of NRM policies in the district. The issue here is access and control. Sixth, the traditional role of festivals purported to preserve and maintain culture, honour the ancestors is been modified. Festivals are used as fora to plan, make exchange visits, learn best practices and disseminate government policies and programmes on natural resource management. Drawing from the above findings I made the following recommendations. The need for integration of modem and traditional management systems into NRM policies; gender inclusion in NRM decisions by targeting and training traditional authorities; capacity building of formal and informal institutions through exchanges, joint visits and sharing of responsibilities would enhance trust and build confidence in both sectors for enhanced NRM; natural resources management transcends boundaries, hence, the need for districtwide and cross district bye-laws on natural resources management issues; and finally, District Assemblies and central government to support and use the celebration of festivals as occasions for policy formulation, review and dissemination on NRM .