Beyond science: Traditional concept of preservation and biodiversity in Ghana: Focus on two traditional areas in Central Region

Abstract

Since time immemorial, indigenous knowledge systems of different geographical environments across the globe have been used to protect and conserve groves. Presently, while some of these edifices are being preserved for various reasons, others are facing extinction due to diverse challenges. The study, underpinned by dimensions of indigenous knowledge and indigenous ecological knowledge frameworks within the paradigm of endogenous development, explores the beliefs and practices that have been used to preserve groves in three selected communities in the Central Region of Ghana. It also explores some of the benefits associated with the groves, and focuses on the intangible benefits to these communities. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions, as well as community institutional resource mapping and observation were used to collect data from chiefs, priests and elders. The results show that groves were owned and managed by either clans or communities, or both. Traditional sciences have been used to preserve these groves. Groves preserve community histories, ancestral and local knowledge. However, the breakdown of traditional values threatens the existence and preservation of such heritage