INDIGENOUS PROTECTED AREA SYSTEM IN GHANA

Protected area refers to a land and or sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means (Dudley and Phillips, 2006). IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas defines indigenous and community conserved areas (ICCAs) as natural and modified ecosystems including significant biodiversity, geological diversity, ecological services and cultural values voluntarily conserved by indigenous peoples and local communities, both sedentary and mobile, through customary laws or other effective means. 

Protected areas are now the basis of most national and international conservation strategies. Indigenous protected areas are areas owned and managed by indigenous communities for the protection of their significant natural and cultural values (Indigenous Protected Areas, 2008)They act as refuges for species and ecological processes and provides space for natural evolution and future ecological restoration (IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas).         

          

According to Ntiamoa-Baidu (1995), Ghana has two main types of protected area system namely indigenous and introduced. Introduced strategy reflects western oriented management strategies and is thus based on western knowledge and values. These include forest reserves and wildlife conservation areas. Indigenous strategy is the pre-colonial resource conservation closely married with cultural practices and traditional life ways. Examples of indigenous strategy include sacred groves, royal burial grounds and sacred rivers (Tete, 2005). 

 Ndoro, (2001) stated that in most African societies, there is no distinction between nature and creator and no sharp separation between humanity and nature. This means that things like trees, mountains, rocks, forests, and animals form part of human life. These are thought to have a soul. Thus it becomes difficult to separate nature from culture (Ndoro, 2001). Tete, (2005) stated that rural people have emotional and spiritual relationship with nature and sometimes tend to see mountains, rivers and forests as having spiritual essence.

Ntiamoa-Baidu, (1995) identified three categories of indigenous strategies of biodiversity conservation in Ghana. These are strategies that:

• ·         Protect particular ecosystems or habitats (such as sacred groves, royal burial grounds, sacred rivers).

• ·         Protect particular animal or plant species (such as totem and tabooed species).

• ·         Regulate exploitation of natural resources (such as close seasons for harvesting or hunting).

These strategies are often enshrined in religious or cultural beliefs and superstitions and enforced by taboos. The taboos have no legal backing, but the beliefs have been strong enough in the past to make people obey the regulations (Ntiamoa-Baidu, 1995).

REFERENCES

Dudley, N. and Phillips, A. 2006. Forests and Protected Areas: Guidance on the use of the IUCN protected area management categories. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. x + 58pp.

Indigenous People’s and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs)-Guidelines towards appropriate recognition and support. IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy. IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas. 

Ndoro, W. 2001. [news_in_cons1.html] (Assessed 2009 October 28).

Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y. 1995. African Biodiversity Series, Indigenous vs. Introduced Biodiversity Conservation Strategies: The Case of Protected Area Systems. Produced by the Biodiversity Support Program Number 1.

Tete Y. A. S. 2005. Indigenous Nature Conservation Practices in Ghana - The Case of the Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary in the Brong-Ahafo Region. Microsoft power point presentation. [www.aedis-eu.org/../Tete.pdf] (Assessed 2009 October 28)