Assessment Of Traditional Strategies In Biodiversity Conservation In Naaha Community In Ghana

Protection of the environment by conserving biodiversity is important to ensuring the lasting survival of mankind.This therefore has brought about the need for attention to be drawn on biodiversity conservation and so many researchers have embarked on the mission of identifying ways conservation of biodiversity is undertaken however these endeavors are limited such as assessing how these strategies employed by local communities really lead to the purpose of biodiversity conservation.This study aims to assess the traditional strategies which the Naaha community use to conserve biodiversity and to pave way for a sustainable environment,identify the limitations of the traditional strategies in the Naaha community and provide recommendations as to how they can be overcome.The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative designs of research.Sampling techniques used for the target population were purposive sampling for the key informants whereas simple random technique was used for the other respondents.A sample size of one hundred respondents was decided upon for collecting data.Moreover,questionnaires,interviews,and a guided walk were used as the techniques for collecting data.The study from the data collected realized that the community was using solely traditional methods in conserving their environment and that there was the total absence of modern strategies in conserving biodiversity.Also,it was identified that government agencies thus the Environmental Protection Agency and the Forestry Commission did little to support the community's efforts.The people knew the importance of conservation and were aware of the benefits the can gain from embarking on such purpose.Although the strategies implemented by the community were effective,there was no assessment of how reliable the strategies were.Finally,the study made some recommendations which when considered can be supportive of solving some problems of conservation in the community.Thus,both governments and stakeholders should assist with the introduction of modern ways of conserving biodiversity and educating the people on them to adjust to the changes of nature.Also the traditional authorities should be given much power by the government in order to gain much respect from the people so as to exercise their full powers to achieving the conservational aim.