Akan Worldview on Human-Earth Relations for Environmental Conservation in Ghana

Abstract

Abstract: The idea that there is an interconnectedness between human beings and the natural environment is widely held by many people across the globe. Unfortunately, this nexus has become the cause of the global problem of pandemics, climate change and greenhouse gases. The 2020 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranked Ghana low at 39th out of 46 countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Employing the qualitative method and phenomenological approach, some Akan environmental conservation ideas inherent in human-earth relations were analysed. The paper argues that the Akan indigenous ecological knowledge, such as taboos, observance of earth's Sabbaths, keeping of sacred forest groves and ecological proverbs and wise-sayings are viable resources to be harnessed to theologize in ecotheology and for environmental sustainability. Keywords: Akan worldview, human-earth relations, environmental conservation, taboos, environmental consciousness, earth Sabbath, earth-keeping, indigenous ecological knowledge, proverbs and wise-sayings, sacred groves