Landscape Change and Sustainability of Indigenous Culture oF the Ga/Dangme in Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Abstract

Landscape is polysemous (including land cover and culture); but, it is often conceived as a unitary concept with less focus on culture. Such biased concept of landscape affects its comprehensive study; hence, affecting the sustainability of indigenous culture. This study sought to assess the effects of landscape change on the sustainability of the indigenous culture of the Ga/Dangme in Greater Accra Region using the dualistic concept of landscape. Ethnographically, the study interviewed Ga/Dangme chiefs and traditional priests; undertook series of focus group discussions with the aged and young Ga/Dangme people in four Ga/Dangme communities. In addition, using the cross-sectional survey research design, questionnaire was administered to 1,020 Ga/Dangmes while a spatial approach was employed to model land cover change in the region. Results indicated that land cover change in the Ga/Dangme communities was very high and had affected wetlands and groves considered by the Ga/Dangme as abodes for their gods/goddesses. Also, some rituals performed in these wetlands had ceased because of its degradation from land Christianity, poor enforcement of formal government policies and chieftaincy disputes. The sustainability of the indigenous culture and land cover of the rejuvenated and afforested by the efforts of Ga/Dangme people, Chiefs, traditional priest/Wolomei with the help of Environmental Protection Agency, Forestry Commission, Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority and National commission on Culture.