Indigenous Knowledge and Coastal Livelihood Resource Sustainability at Moree and Apam Communities in the Central Region of Ghana

Abstract

This thesis explored how indigenous knowledge systems about coastal environment influence utilisation of coastal livelihood resources and their sustainability in Moree and Apam communities, in the Central Region of Ghana. As a qualitative study, purposive, convenience, and snowball sampling techniques were used to select a total of 36 participants to provide information for the primary data. The data for the study were collected, using interview, focus group discussion, and observation guides. The data were processed by transcribing, coding, and development of themes for the analysis. The study revealed that, the people had over the years used their indigenous knowledge to identify resources in the environment, through family socialisation, interaction with traditional authorities, and the long engagement with the coastal resources. Though there existed indigenous and modern measures that were capable of ensuring sustainable utilisation of the coastal livelihood resources in the communities, the people had flouted them with impunity, and that had led to the unsustainable utilisation of the resources. It is recommended that, the Fisheries Commission, in conjunction with the chief fishermen in the coastal fishing communities, should halt the registration of new canoes for at least one year. Also, a multifaceted collaboration between state officials in the fishing industry and the local authorities, should use both traditional and modern methods of conservation to deal with the problem of over-exploitation of the coastal livelihood resources.