INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF A COMMUNITY-BASED FOREST RESERVE IN THE WA WEST DISTRICT OF GHANA

Abstract

Despite the various awareness-creation exercises on community-based management systems by the Forestry Commission and Environmental Protection Agency of Ghana, there appear to be no appreciation of the role of indigenous knowledge in the process. Specifically in the case of the management of the forest reserves, no effective formal strategies exist as yet for working with rural communities to accomplish the goals of nature conservation using local experiences and knowledges. Yet, for the many communities involved in the management of forests and other nature reserves, their local knowledges and experiences have been instrumental in the management of their environments and their resources. This paper evaluates the contributions of indigenous knowledge in community-based management of the natural vegetation by focussing on the case of the Yuoboli Integrated Forest Reserve of the Naaha community in the Wa West District of Ghana. It examines the role of indigenous knowledge in the lives of the people of Naaha and the effectiveness of the strategies used for the management of their natural vegetation. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to collect data from primary and secondary sources. The study reveals that conventional approaches are complemented with indigenous knowledge in the management of the Yuoboli Forest Reserve. Also, cherished indigenous methods of managing the reserve are sacrifices, creation of fire belts and taboos such as ‘‘no hunting’’, ‘‘no burning’’ and ‘‘no cutting of trees.’’ The study indicates that 81.3% of the interviewees supports the making of fire belts as one of their respected indigenous ways of managing the reserve and in that respect, 98.4% affirm that indigenous knowledge supports development. It is recommended that their indigenous knowledge on natural resources management be deepened by the creation of institutions within the community to support the process in order to ensure easy learning and knowledge transfer to subsequent generations. Also, organisations should give support to the community on how to effectively manage the reserve locally. This will encourage participation and empowerment.