During an event titled “Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation: African Solutions for Climate Resilience and Socio-Economic Transformation,” a panel of experts and stakeholders from the Institute of African Studies (IAS) and the Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy (CEGENSA) discussed how to leverage indigenous knowledge to tackle critical climate change issues in Africa. This event celebrated the Day of Scientific Renaissance in Africa. The panel focused on their various research topics and explored how these can contribute to finding solutions for the climate crisis on the continent.

Harnessing Indigenous Knowledge Infrastructure for Climate Resilience in Africa

Dr. Irene Appeaning Addo and her team are working to enhance the integration of indigenous knowledge in education and climate policy. The project aims to advocate for the inclusion of these systems in educational institutions and curricula. She emphasized that indigenous people are custodians of unique knowledge and practices that promote harmony between humans and nature. However, they are often excluded from decision-making processes, and their rights to land and resources are frequently overlooked.

Dr. Appeaning Addo believes that traditional knowledge systems can contribute to developing cooperative solutions to climate change. She points out that indigenous peoples have cultivated sustainable agricultural systems over centuries that do not degrade the land or harm water bodies and ecosystems. These nature-based solutions leverage local resources to address challenges. For example, instead of using chemicals to control worm infestations in crops, local communities use ash from cooking to manage or eliminate the infestations. According to her, these proven solutions can help develop culturally appropriate methods to address the effects of climate change in Ghana and throughout Africa.

Oral Expressions for Environmental Awareness

Miss Vivian Mawuli Gli’s research focuses on oral expressions for environmental awareness, specifically in three main areas: environmental communication theory, indigenous knowledge systems, and communication for social change. The goal is to document oral expressions related to water awareness, land awareness, biodiversity laws, and health, and to explore how these can be integrated into climate implementation structures.

Miss Gli noted that historically, community traditional education programs utilized oral expressions, stories, myths, and proverbs to address environmental issues and promote awareness. However, mining activities have led to significant environmental degradation, causing people to forget traditional practices aimed at environmental preservation. She pointed out that Ghana's current environmental protection act and climate change policy do not include these oral expressions, which could help individuals relate to environmental protection in their daily lives.

Miss Gli emphasized that addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, including the preservation of traditional values and raising awareness about the importance of environmental protection, while ensuring sustainability and responsible mining practices. She also suggested that communities should be actively engaged and participate in decision-making processes, as they are directly affected by decisions that harm their environment. Additionally, capacity-building and financial literacy education should be provided to affected communities to help them diversify their occupations and achieve financial stability.

Harnessing Traditional Belief Systems for Environmental Protection

Dr. Genevieve Nrezah and her team’s study investigates the potential of revisiting traditional belief systems to promote the preservation of forests, water bodies, and natural resources. In the past, land was regarded as sacred and considered to belong to deities, with chiefs acting as custodians. The earth was seen as a nurturing mother or deity, providing essential resources for sustenance and life, which made the land sacred. Traditionally, forests and natural resources were believed to be inhabited by spirits that enforced rules and regulations

Dr. Nrezah noted that this perspective changed with the advent of monetization, as people began selling land, many of these traditional beliefs are often overlooked or disregarded today. This has given rise to various harmful activities like indiscriminate mining, overfishing, and deforestation, all contributing to environmental degradation and climate change. Dr. Nrezah argued that revisiting and respecting African traditional belief systems to sacralise these spaces is essential for safeguarding land and natural resources for future generations.

Government’s Activities Towards Net Zero

Dr. Pius Asiakwa and his team are investigating the tensions and contradictions in the government's policies and programs that impact Ghana's ability to achieve net-zero emissions, particularly in urban areas such as Accra, Tema, and Takoradi. Net zero refers to the global effort to balance the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced with the amount removed from the atmosphere.

Dr. Asiakwa pointed out that issues related to transportation, building codes, and government activities are crucial for studying carbon dioxide emissions in urban settings. The government has developed a policy aimed at promoting green energy to limit carbon emissions. However, Dr. Asiakwa noted that the government is simultaneously encouraging investments in the hydrocarbon sector. He argued that this presents a contradiction, as it is the same government claiming to limit hydrocarbon emissions.

About 60% of Ghana's population resides in urban areas. Dr. Asiakwa highlighted that the public transportation system contributes significantly to carbon emissions in the country. He suggested that introducing more buses could greatly reduce the number of cars on the roads for public transport. Additionally, he cautioned that the government should enhance education regarding the environmental benefits of using the bus system to encourage public usage.

Regarding construction, he emphasized the need for education on adopting indigenous building codes that permit natural ventilation, rather than relying on environmentally harmful appliances like air conditioners. Such practices contribute to carbon emissions and exacerbate the climate crisis we face.

Re-centering Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Educational Purposes 

Dr. Abena Kyere noted that her team’s research project aims to understand how indigenous knowledge systems transmitted through oral and literary forms like proverbs, folktales, and songs aid in environmental management. Additionally, the project seeks to collect and preserve forgotten knowledge systems and store them on digital platforms for educational purposes.

She emphasized that involving women and youth is crucial for preserving and transmitting these indigenous knowledge systems. She believes that this involvement will help ensure the continuation of valuable traditions and promote intergenerational learning. In six local communities in Ghana where Dr. Kyere and her team collected data on storytelling, they found that women were often identified as primary knowledge holders and storytellers. The team observed that women are skilled in storytelling and in translating knowledge systems into engaging narratives. According to Dr. Kyere, these sessions were instrumental in passing on critical knowledge to children, including those involved in activities like illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Greening African Music

Dr. Moses Nii Dottey and his team are conducting a research project titled "Greening African Music." Their work focuses on the environmental impact of constructing African musical instruments and aims to find more sustainable methods to achieve this goal, balancing between cultural heritage with environmental responsibility.

For centuries, trees have been cut down for use as the primary raw material in the construction of African musical instruments, particularly drums. Large logs are carved into various shapes, resulting in significant waste and making this practice unsustainable. The study proposes several potential solutions to create eco-friendly African musical instruments, including reducing waste by repurposing wood shavings and discarded drum shells. Another approach is sustainable sourcing, which involves using responsibly harvested materials such as bamboo and promoting reforestation. Additionally, the team is exploring alternative materials like fiberglass, metal, and pressed wood bolts.

Dr. Nii Dottey shared an innovative example of Solomon Godogoe, a former student of the Institute of African Studies, who crafts the "atenteben," a traditional Ghanaian bamboo flute, using metal. He encourages all past and present students to follow Solomon’s example, as it demonstrates the potential for creative and sustainable solutions.

If African indigenous knowledge systems have the potential to address African challenges, why are they often overlooked? Dr. Abena Kyere attributed this to several factors, including cultural erosion caused by globalization, modernization, and migration. She also pointed out that self-doubt and the marginalization of these knowledge systems contribute to their lack of recognition and acceptance. She added that apathy can be a significant factor, as prolonged marginalization may lead to disinterest and fear of sharing knowledge, which can stem from feelings of shame or doubt.