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Traditional and Local Knowledge Practices for Disaster Risk Reduction in Northern Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Nsioh Macnight Ngwese

    (United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), 5-53-70 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8925, Japan)

  • Osamu Saito

    (United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), 5-53-70 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8925, Japan)

  • Akiko Sato

    (United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), 5-53-70 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8925, Japan)

  • Yaw Agyeman Boafo

    (Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S), The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654, Japan)

  • Godfred Jasaw

    (Kazuhiko Takeuchi Centre for Sustainability and Resilience, University for Development Studies, Wa and Nyankpala Campuses, 1350 Tamale, Ghana)

Abstract

In order to deal with recurrent disasters, like floods and droughts coupled with the limited adaptive capacity, in the semiarid regions of Northern Ghana, local communities have no choice but to apply traditional and local knowledge practices. This study seeks to identify such practices employed in selected rural communities in Northern Ghana and to investigate their effectiveness. Data were collected through key informant interviews, household questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions, and participant observations. The findings indicated that although diverse practices were applied to predict and manage local disaster events, skepticism prevailed among locals toward these practices regarding their effectiveness. Due to the lack of science-based tools and systems for disaster prediction and management, local communities continually depended on these knowledge systems and practices. Integrating local and traditional disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts into modern scientific knowledge should be encouraged in order to reduce the vulnerability of local communities to disasters with thorough effectiveness evaluation protocols.

Suggested Citation

  • Nsioh Macnight Ngwese & Osamu Saito & Akiko Sato & Yaw Agyeman Boafo & Godfred Jasaw, 2018. "Traditional and Local Knowledge Practices for Disaster Risk Reduction in Northern Ghana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-17, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:3:p:825-:d:136462
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Priscilla T. Apronti & Saito Osamu & Kei Otsuki & Gordana Kranjac-Berisavljevic, 2015. "Education for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): Linking Theory with Practice in Ghana’s Basic Schools," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(7), pages 1-27, July.
    2. Boafo, Yaw Agyeman & Saito, Osamu & Jasaw, Godfred Seidu & Otsuki, Kei & Takeuchi, Kazuhiko, 2016. "Provisioning ecosystem services-sharing as a coping and adaptation strategy among rural communities in Ghana's semi-arid ecosystem," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 19(C), pages 92-102.
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    1. Robert Šakić Trogrlić & Grant B. Wright & Melanie J. Duncan & Marc J. C. van den Homberg & Adebayo J. Adeloye & Faidess D. Mwale & Joyce Mwafulirwa, 2019. "Characterising Local Knowledge across the Flood Risk Management Cycle: A Case Study of Southern Malawi," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-23, March.

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