Exploring the praxes of indigenous and experiential knowledge of climate change on peasant farmers in Ghana

Sedegah, Daniella Delali and Akagbor, Michael Augustus and Kwarteng-Donkor, Phyllis Bernice and Adu-Okoree, Benzies Isaac and Joel Premkumar, Philippa Jilly (2023) Exploring the praxes of indigenous and experiential knowledge of climate change on peasant farmers in Ghana. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management (Malaysia), 18 (10). pp. 70-80. ISSN 2672-7226

The global concern that Africa’s strong economic dependency on climate related activities makes it vulnerable is troubling as the continent is lagging in embracing scientific techniques for adapting to the changing global environment. However, challenges exist where the application of ‘modern scientific’ knowledge to addressing climate change appears to disregard resilient ‘indigenous knowledge systems.’ This study situates the praxes and experiences of peasant farmers in Ghana to explore the indigenous knowledge systems they use to navigate climate change’s impact on their livelihoods. The study adopts the theoretical framework of Bruchac’s ‘indigenous knowledge theory’ in unpacking the socio-cultural ways peasant farmers in Ghana create unique ways of ‘knowing’ and understanding climate change. Utilising Focus Group Discussion and interviews, the views of peasant farmers on climate change and its impact on their livelihood were explored. The study found that the transferability of indigenous knowledge passed down to participants by their ancestors has shaped their ontological reality of changing climate patterns and its impact on their livelihoods. However, challenges exist in contemporary times in applying this knowledge to their farming practices. The study pushes for synthesising indigenous knowledge systems with modern scientific knowledge systems for institutional and behavioural change regarding climate change in Ghana.

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Abstract

The global concern that Africa’s strong economic dependency on climate related activities makes it vulnerable is troubling as the continent is lagging in embracing scientific techniques for adapting to the changing global environment. However, challenges exist where the application of ‘modern scientific’ knowledge to addressing climate change appears to disregard resilient ‘indigenous knowledge systems.’ This study situates the praxes and experiences of peasant farmers in Ghana to explore the indigenous knowledge systems they use to navigate climate change’s impact on their livelihoods. The study adopts the theoretical framework of Bruchac’s ‘indigenous knowledge theory’ in unpacking the socio-cultural ways peasant farmers in Ghana create unique ways of ‘knowing’ and understanding climate change. Utilising Focus Group Discussion and interviews, the views of peasant farmers on climate change and its impact on their livelihood were explored. The study found that the transferability of indigenous knowledge passed down to participants by their ancestors has shaped their ontological reality of changing climate patterns and its impact on their livelihoods. However, challenges exist in contemporary times in applying this knowledge to their farming practices. The study pushes for synthesising indigenous knowledge systems with modern scientific knowledge systems for institutional and behavioural change regarding climate change in Ghana.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Indigenous Peoples' knowledge
AGROVOC Term:	climate change
AGROVOC Term:	traditional farming
AGROVOC Term:	farmers
AGROVOC Term:	research
AGROVOC Term:	livelihoods
AGROVOC Term:	traditional technology
AGROVOC Term:	sustainable development
Geographical Term:	Ghana
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Indigenous knowledge, climate change, peasant farmers, livelihoods, exploration
Depositing User:	Nor Hasnita Abdul Samat
Date Deposited:	26 Jun 2025 06:28
Last Modified:	26 Jun 2025 06:28
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/1934

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