Empowering Ghanaian Youth: Integrating Local Ecological Knowledge in Environmental Education

Abstract

In the face of transboundary environmental crises, moving away from education systems with colonial legacies would empower Ghanaians to lead adaptation and resilience efforts in their communities. Nuanced, culturally relevant, place-based education can fight the entwined threats of climate change, biodiversity loss, and the rise of infectious diseases. This article delves into the environmental education landscape in Ghana, finding that integrating informal, cultural learning with formal curricula is a strong pedagogical strategy. Ghana is the focus because it is a lower-middle-income country whose formal schooling was introduced by the British colonial power. Many other formerly colonized countries face a disproportionate environmental burden, so lessons from Ghana can be helpful elsewhere. This article contributes to the ongoing discourse on preparing the next generation for the new planetary conditions, offering a roadmap for a more integrated, holistic approach that harnesses the strengths of cultural knowledge and communication.