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

Emmanuel Abeku Essel

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ss.20200904.11

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

Emmanuel Abeku Essel

Published in Social Sciences (Volume 9, Issue 4)

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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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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TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Role of Taboos in Solving Contemporary Environmental Degradation in Ghana: The Case of Cape Coast Metro
AU  - Emmanuel Abeku Essel
Y1  - 2020/07/13
PY  - 2020
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DO  - 10.11648/j.ss.20200904.11
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PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2326-988X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20200904.11
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.
VL  - 9
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Author Information

Emmanuel Abeku Essel

Department of Public Administration, National University of Public Service, Budapest, Hungary

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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}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Role of Taboos in Solving Contemporary Environmental Degradation in Ghana: The Case of Cape Coast Metro
AU  - Emmanuel Abeku Essel
Y1  - 2020/07/13
PY  - 2020
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20200904.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ss.20200904.11
T2  - Social Sciences
JF  - Social Sciences
JO  - Social Sciences
SP  - 89
EP  - 97
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2326-988X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ss.20200904.11
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.
VL  - 9
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download