Indigenous Religio-Cultural Practices and Management of the Volta River in Akwamu Traditional Area, Ghana.

Abstract

Indigenous water resource management in Ghana is deeply rooted in the indigenous religio cultural practices that govern the use of rivers, lakes and other water bodies. This research sought to examine the indigenous religio-cultural practices and management of the Volta River in Akwamu traditional area, Ghana. The research was underpinned by ecocentric ethics, which according to Aldo Leopold in his Land Ethics prioritises the well-being and sustainability of the natural environment over human interest and therefore, urges humans to be stewards and caretakers of the natural environment in its intrinsic value. As a phenomenological study, it used qualitative methods such as in-depth interview, focus group discussion and observation for data collection and analysis. Participants, comprising traditional leaders, members from the riparian communities and environmental officers from the Volta River Authority (VRA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) and Environmental Health and Sanitation Unit of Asuogyaman District Assembly in Akwamu traditional area were purposively selected for the study. The study revealed that Akwamu people have a set of traditional laws based on their religio-cultural beliefs and practices for the management of the Volta River. The research also revealed that migration and resettlement, as a result of the construction of the Akosombo Dam, non-collaboration between state institutions and traditional authorities, negative attitudes of traditional authorities, Christianity and over-population are factors militating against the enforcement of traditional laws in the management of the Volta River in Akwamu Traditional area. Again, the study revealed that incorporating indigenous knowledge systems into modern methods will foster a sense of shared responsibility between traditional authorities and the state institutions to work as a team to enhance the conservation efforts of the Volta River in the Akwamu traditional area. Among other things, the research recommended that traditional authorities, policymakers, state institutions and community members should foster partnership to engage a participatory decision-making process that involves indigenous knowledge and modern approaches for a sustainable management of the Volta River. The study concluded that if indigenous knowledge practices are used alongside the modern methods, it will lead to a long-term sustainability of the Volta River with the aim of benefiting both current and future generations in the Akwamu traditional area and Ghana as a whole.