Abstract:
Societies have for many years been governed by norms, values, beliefs and sanctions that are seen from a holistic standpoint as culture.
Ghana has several cultures but how these impact on development with reference to harnessing the traditional knowledge systems (TKS) inherent in them to affect agricultural forms remain unanswered. This study looks at how the socio-cultural beliefs and traditional knowledge systems affect the achievement of sustainable development in the rural areas of Ghana using Akyem A wisa and its environs as a case study. With sustainable development gaining prominence in the minds of people, exploring how TKS have helped in the achievement of sustainable development goals is paramount. The overriding nature of modernity which is eroding the primary culture has caused the rural folks to desire to harness TKS for the development of methods that can support agricultural forms for the future generation. Solving practical problems associated with agricultural forms to ensure effective and increased achievement of sustainable development goals, has been found to be possible by the application of TKS. This reduces the over reliance on modern chemicals for high agricultural yield and improved food security, public health as well as good environmental management. The study thus recommends that the elements of African culture are given fundamental position in the development process of the country to allow the achievement of sustainable development in self confidence.
