TRADITIONAL MECHANISMS IN MANAGING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON WATERSHEDS IN GHANA: A REVIEW

Abstract

Purpose –– This review article aims to provide an analysis of traditional mechanisms in managing the impact of climate change on watersheds in Ghana which will influence projected adaptation.
Methods –– A literature search was undertaken to identify pertinent empirical studies published in scholarly journals.
Findings –– The study identified that a watershed is more than just a hydrological unit; it is also a socio-political and ecological
system vital to rural communities’ survival by influencing their access to food, social services, and economic opportunities.
Concerns about climate change have, for the most part in literature, been focused on vulnerability and mitigation, while adaptation at the community level has been largely ignored.
Conclusion & Recommendation –– This study recommends that traditional indigenous knowledge be included in formal
watershed management policies and practices for effective conservation.
Keywords –– Watersheds, traditional mechanisms, climate change, indigenous knowledge