African Traditional Religion (ATR) and Environmental Conservation from the Ghanaian perspective

Adam Konadu; Charles Kofi Twene; Samuel Kingsford Twene; Francis Xavier Kabir Mwinkom; Margaret Makafui Tayviah; Collins Boafo

doi:10.51867/AQSSR.3.2.23

Auteurs-es

Adam Konadu St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana Auteur-e https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0335-4299
Charles Kofi Twene St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana Auteur-e https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2732-5510
Samuel Kingsford Twene St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana Auteur-e https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2634-9852
Francis Xavier Kabir Mwinkom St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana Auteur-e https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3918-1381
Margaret Makafui Tayviah Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) ,Ghana Auteur-e https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1439-8078
Collins Boafo Jasikan College of Education, Ghana Auteur-e https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2907-0201

DOI :

https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.3.2.23

Mots-clés :

African Traditional Religion, Biodiversity, Culture, Environmental Conservation, Indigenous Knowledge, Sacred Ecology

Résumé

This study explores the role of African Traditional Religion (ATR) in environmental conservation in Ghana, positioning it as a culturally embedded and indigenous framework for ecological sustainability. Employing a qualitative and interpretive research approach, the study draws on interdisciplinary insights from religious studies, environmental ethics, and African philosophy to examine how traditional belief systems shape human–environment relations. The findings reveal that ATR promotes a holistic worldview in which nature is perceived as sacred, relational, and morally governed. Cultural institutions such as taboos, totems, sacred groves, and customary laws historically functioned as effective ecological safeguards, ensuring biodiversity preservation and environmental balance. However, contemporary pressures—including globalization, urban expansion, and the gradual erosion of indigenous knowledge systems—have weakened these traditional mechanisms. The study argues that meaningful integration of indigenous ecological knowledge into modern environmental governance frameworks can enhance sustainability outcomes. By foregrounding ATR as a viable ethical and ecological resource, this research contributes to ongoing debates on sustainable development and culturally grounded conservation strategies. It concludes that renewed engagement with ATR offers critical pathways for addressing environmental challenges while reinforcing national sustainability efforts in Ghana.

Biographies de l'auteur-e

Adam Konadu, St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana

KONADU ADAM holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies with specialization in Interfaith Relations and Religion and Society from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He also holds a Master of Philosophy in Religious Studies KNUST. He again holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education from the Catholic University of Ghana, all in Ghana. His research interests include the Comparative Study of Religion, Interfaith Relations, Religious Education, and Religion and Society. He is a Lecturer of Religious and Moral Education at St. Ambrose College of Education at Dormaa-Akwamu in the Bono Region of Ghana.

ORCID: 0000-0002-0335-4299

Email: konaduadam@sace.edu.gh
Charles Kofi Twene, St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana

TWENE KOFI CHARLES holds a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Curriculum Studies from University of Cape Coast in Ghana. He also holds a Master of Philosophy in Curriculum Studies in Religious Education from the University of Cape Coast (UCC) in Ghana. His research interest has been in Religion and Curriculum Studies. He is a Lecturer of Religious and Moral Education and the Head of Social Science Department at St. Ambrose College of Education at Dormaa-Akwamu in the Bono Region of Ghana.

ORCID: 0000-0003-2732-5510

Email: charlesgodchild@gmail.com
Samuel Kingsford Twene, St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana

TWENE KINGSFORD SAMUELholds both Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy degrees in Geography and Rural Development from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and a Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies from the University of Cape Coast. Land governance, livelihood sustainability, poverty and education studies are his areas of research interest. He is a Geography and Social Studies Lecturer at St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa Akwamu in the Bono Region of Ghana. Currently, he is the Acting Vice Principal of the same college.

ORCID: 0000-0003-2634-9852

Email: samuelkingsfordtwene20@gmail.com
Francis Xavier Kabir Mwinkom, St. Ambrose College of Education, Dormaa-Akwamu, Bono Region, Ghana

FRANCIS XAVIER KABIR MWINKOM holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Forestry and Environmental Governance with specialization in Climate Adaptation Strategies and the Environment from the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) in Ghana. He also holds a Master of Philosophy in Development Studies in the Social Sciences from the University for Development Studies and a Professional Certificate in Teaching from Tumu College of Education, both in Ghana. His research interests include the Trends in Climate Change Adaptation strategies, the environment and socio-economic development dynamics and Society. He is a Lecturer of Social Studies at St Ambrose College of Education at Dormaa-Akwamu in the Bono Region of Ghana.

ORCID: 0009-0006-3918-1381

Email: fmwinkom@sace.edu.gh
Margaret Makafui Tayviah, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) ,Ghana

TAYVIAH MAKAFUI MARGARET holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies with specialization in Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi. She also holds a Master of Philosophy and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Religious Studies from KNUST. She is currently a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Religious and Human Development, KNUST. Her research areas include: Comparative Religions, Interfaith Relations, Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations.

ORCID: 0009-0001-1439-8078

Email: makafuimtayviah@gmail.com
Collins Boafo, Jasikan College of Education, Ghana

BOAFO COLLINS holds a Master of Philosophy degree in Religious Studies from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He also holds a Bachelor of Education in Religious Studies from Valley View University in Ghana and a Diploma in Education from the Seventh Day Adventist College of Education in Asokore in the Eastern Region of Ghana. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies at KNUST. His research interest is in Religious Education, and Religion and Society. He is a Lecturer of Religious and Moral Education at Jasikan College of Education in Ghana.

ORCID: 0009-0008-2907-0201

Email: collinsphone17@gmail.com

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