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The Role of Taboos in Solving Contemporary Environmental Degradation in Ghana: The Case of Cape Coast Metro

Received: 6 May 2020     Accepted: 30 June 2020     Published: 13 July 2020
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Abstract

One phenomenon which has gained prominence in recent discussions in Ghana has been the role taboos play in addressing environmental degradation. While one group of researchers believes in the conservationist stance, others are of the view that traditional beliefs and practices could play a significant role in preserving the environment for future generations. In the Cape Coast Metropolis, taboos are part of the daily activities of its indigenes, however, the impact environmental taboos exercise, appears to have lessened in comparison with the traditional beliefs. This is probably due to the influence of science and modernity. This paper seeks to find out why the decline in observing environmental taboos amongst the people of Cape Coast is affecting the environment and leading to degradation. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used in the analysis. The targeted population were the people of Cape Coast in Ghana and some selected Non-Governmental Organizations which are involved in environmental protection. The study revealed that the people in the area still hold on to their traditions and culture and would not do anything which will have dire consequences on their lives should they break any taboos concerning their environment. In view of this, it is recommended that the local government laws be looked at again to have a fusion of both traditional norms and cultural laws as part of efforts to preserve the environment.

Published in Social Sciences (Volume 9, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ss.20200904.11
Page(s) 89-97
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Taboos, Tradition, Impact, Environmental Degradation

References
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    Emmanuel Abeku Essel. (2020). The Role of Taboos in Solving Contemporary Environmental Degradation in Ghana: The Case of Cape Coast Metro. Social Sciences, 9(4), 89-97. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20200904.11

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    ACS Style

    Emmanuel Abeku Essel. The Role of Taboos in Solving Contemporary Environmental Degradation in Ghana: The Case of Cape Coast Metro. Soc. Sci. 2020, 9(4), 89-97. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20200904.11

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    AMA Style

    Emmanuel Abeku Essel. The Role of Taboos in Solving Contemporary Environmental Degradation in Ghana: The Case of Cape Coast Metro. Soc Sci. 2020;9(4):89-97. doi: 10.11648/j.ss.20200904.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ss.20200904.11,
      author = {Emmanuel Abeku Essel},
      title = {The Role of Taboos in Solving Contemporary Environmental Degradation in Ghana: The Case of Cape Coast Metro},
      journal = {Social Sciences},
      volume = {9},
      number = {4},
      pages = {89-97},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ss.20200904.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20200904.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ss.20200904.11},
      abstract = {One phenomenon which has gained prominence in recent discussions in Ghana has been the role taboos play in addressing environmental degradation. While one group of researchers believes in the conservationist stance, others are of the view that traditional beliefs and practices could play a significant role in preserving the environment for future generations. In the Cape Coast Metropolis, taboos are part of the daily activities of its indigenes, however, the impact environmental taboos exercise, appears to have lessened in comparison with the traditional beliefs. This is probably due to the influence of science and modernity. This paper seeks to find out why the decline in observing environmental taboos amongst the people of Cape Coast is affecting the environment and leading to degradation. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used in the analysis. The targeted population were the people of Cape Coast in Ghana and some selected Non-Governmental Organizations which are involved in environmental protection. The study revealed that the people in the area still hold on to their traditions and culture and would not do anything which will have dire consequences on their lives should they break any taboos concerning their environment. In view of this, it is recommended that the local government laws be looked at again to have a fusion of both traditional norms and cultural laws as part of efforts to preserve the environment.},
     year = {2020}
    }
    

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    Y1  - 2020/07/13
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    AB  - One phenomenon which has gained prominence in recent discussions in Ghana has been the role taboos play in addressing environmental degradation. While one group of researchers believes in the conservationist stance, others are of the view that traditional beliefs and practices could play a significant role in preserving the environment for future generations. In the Cape Coast Metropolis, taboos are part of the daily activities of its indigenes, however, the impact environmental taboos exercise, appears to have lessened in comparison with the traditional beliefs. This is probably due to the influence of science and modernity. This paper seeks to find out why the decline in observing environmental taboos amongst the people of Cape Coast is affecting the environment and leading to degradation. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used in the analysis. The targeted population were the people of Cape Coast in Ghana and some selected Non-Governmental Organizations which are involved in environmental protection. The study revealed that the people in the area still hold on to their traditions and culture and would not do anything which will have dire consequences on their lives should they break any taboos concerning their environment. In view of this, it is recommended that the local government laws be looked at again to have a fusion of both traditional norms and cultural laws as part of efforts to preserve the environment.
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Author Information
  • Department of Public Administration, National University of Public Service, Budapest, Hungary

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