Effective environmental governance is key to achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Environmental sustainability programs in developing countries across West Africa are anchored on western scientific knowledge. This has led to a tendency to marginalize the application of indigenous knowledge in environmental protection in West Africa. Yet, no knowledge system develops in isolation as they cross-fertilize and benefit from each other. Indigenous knowledge systems are as old as the traditional societies having been passed from one generation to another. They are those voluminous, diverse, and highly localized sources of wisdom that are neither specific nor universal. Indigenous knowledge systems such as using animal dung as manure, sighting of the new moon before planting, rain-making rituals, and planting of trees to serve as shades have helped to conserve the wetlands and the forests of most societies in West Africa and are effective in promoting environmental sustainability. Hence, the reason they are considered as important as scientific knowledge which must be integrated through multiple evidence base approaches for effective environmental governance. This article using doctrinal research methodology aims at examining how traditional societies in West Africa can leverage indigenous knowledge to achieve effective environmental governance, mitigate climate change, and promote sustainable development. The article recommends that mainstreaming indigenous knowledge systems into environmental legislation, policy and institutional frameworks will not only help in mitigating environmental issues such as climate change but will help developing countries in West Africa meet the SDG goals and their commitments in the Paris Agreement. The article concludes that the integration of such unique knowledge systems into other evidence or scientific based knowledge systems could be one of the best ways to ensure effective and participatory environmental governance in West Africa.
KeywordsAfrican Indigenous Knowledge SystemsSustainable Development GoalsClimate Change
Adekunle, I. A. (2021). On the Search for Environmental Sustainability in Africa: The Role of Governance. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28, 14607-14620. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11432-5
African Union (2022). Linking Agenda 2063 and the SDGs. https://au.int/agenda2063/sdgs
Age, J., Lugangwa, E., Obua, J., & Kambugu, R. (2008). Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Enhancing Household Food Security: A Case Study of Mukungwe, Masaka District, Central Uganda. Indilinga, 7, 64-71. https://doi.org/10.4314/indilinga.v7i1.26394
Agrawal, A. (1995). Dismantling the Divide between Indigenous and Scientific Knowledge. Development and Change, 26, 413-439. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7660.1995.tb00560.x
Akpodiogaga, P. (2010). General Overview of Climate Change Impacts in Nigeria. Journal of Human Ecology (Delhi, India), 29, 47-55. https://doi.org/10.1080/09709274.2010.11906248
Cheserek, G. (2005). Indigenous Knowledge in Water and Watershed Management: “Marakwet” Conservation Strategies and Techniques. In G. Förch, R. Winnegge, & S. Thiemann (Eds.), DAAD Alumni Summer School 2005: Topics of Integrated Watershed Management Proceedings (pp. 25-33). FWU Water Resources Publications.
Chikaire, J., Osuagwu, C., Ihenaco, R., Oguegbuchulam, M., Ejiogu-Okere, N., & Obi, K. (2012). Indigenous Knowledge System: The Need for Reform and the Way Forward. Global Advancement Research of Agricultural Science, 1, 201-209.
Chiwanza, K. (2013). Challenges in Preserving Indigenous Knowledge Systems: Learning from Past Experiences. Information and Knowledge Management, 3, 19-24.
Dube, E., & Munsaka, E. (2018). The Contributions of Indigenous Knowledge to Disaster Risks Reduction Activities in Zimbabwe: A Big Call to Practitioners. Jamba, 10, Article No. 493. https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v10i1.493
ECOWAS. Treaty. https://ecowas.int
Environmental Law Research Institute. A Synopsis of Laws and Regulations on Environment in Nigeria. https://elri-ng.org
Eyong, C. T. et al. (2007). Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Development in Africa: Case Study of Central Africa. In Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Sustainable Development: Relevance for Africa (pp. 121-139). Kamlla-Raj Enterprises.
Gupta, A. D. (2022). Impact of Migration on Indigenous Knowledge System. https://nomadit.co.uk
Hijazi, A., Chang, L., Liwenga, E., Kanemba, A., & Nindi, S. (2013). The Use of Indigenous Knowledge in Weather and Climate Prediction in Mahenge and Ismani Wards, Tanzania. Journal of Geography and Regional Planning, 6, 274-280.
Ijaiya, H., & Joseph, O. T. (2014). Rethinking Environmental Law Enforcement in Nigeria. Beijing Law Review, 5, 306-321. https://www.scirp.org https://doi.org/10.4236/blr.2014.54029
International Labour Geneva (2022). Indigenous People and Climate Change—From Victims to Change Agents through Decent Work. https://www.ilo.org
IPBES (2019). Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services of the Intergovernmental Science—Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (p. 1148). IPBES Secretariat.
IPCC Special Report (2022). Global Warming of 1.5 Degrees C. https://www.ipcc.ch
Jaya, E. (2018). The Role of University in Promoting Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Zimbabwe. The Climate Change and Vulnerability amongst Smallholder Farmers in Bikita, Zimbabwe. University of KwaZulu Natal.
Jiri, O., Mafongoya, P., Mubaya, C., & Mafongoya, O. (2016). Seasonal Climate Prediction and Adaptation Using Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Agriculture Systems in Southern Africa: A Review. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 8, 156-172. https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v8n5p156
Joffe, P. (2022). UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Canadian Government Positions Incompatible with Genuine Reconciliation. https://www.afn.ca
Kanu, I. A., & Ndubisi, E. J. O. (2020). African Indigenous Knowledge Systems Problems and Perspectives. Association of Promotion of African Studies.
Kohade, O. (2022). Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Development in the Novels of Daniel Fagunwa. https://www.grin.com/document/337707
Kugara, S. L. et al. (2022). The Role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Climate Change. In Handbook of Research on Protecting and Managing Global Indigenous Knowledge Systems (p. 274). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-7492-8.ch001
Mafongoya, P., & Ajayi, O. (2017). Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Climate Change Management in Africa. CTA.
Mafongoya, P., Jiri, O., Mubaya, C., & Mafongoya, O. (2021). Using Indigenous Knowledge for Seasonal Quality Prediction in Managing Climate Risk in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Oriental Anthropologist, 21, 7-9.
Mapfumo, P., Mtambanengwe, F., & Chikowo, R. (2016). Building on Indigenous Knowledge to Strengthen the Capacity of Smallholder Farming Communities to Adapt to Climate Change and Variability in Southern Africa. Climate and Development, 8, 72-82. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2014.998604
Matemilola, S., & Elegbede, I. (2017). Transparency: A Tool for Effective Environmental Governance in Nigeria. Open Access Library Journal, 4, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1104186
Mawe, J. M. (2011). Indigenous Ecological Knowledge and Modern Western Ecological Knowledge: Complementary, Not Contradictory. Thought and Practice: A Journal of the Philosophical Association of Kenya (PAK) New Series, 3, 35-47.
Mugabe, F., Mubaya, C., Nanja, D., Gondwe, P., Munodawafa, A., Mutswangwa, E., & Murewi, C. (2010). Use of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Scientific Methods for Climate Forecasting in Southern Zambia and North-Western Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Journal of Technological Sciences, 1. https://doi.org/10.4314/zjts.v1i1.65216
Muguti, T., & Maphosa, R. (2012). Indigenous Weather Forecasting: A Phenomenological Study Engaging the Shona of Zimbabwe. The Journal of Pan African Studies, 4, 102-112.
Osawe, A. I., & Magnu, O. O. (2016). Environmental Governance in Nigeria: The Community Perspective. Public Policy and Administration Research, 6, 24-30.
Osei, J. (2022). The Value of African Taboos for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development. https://jsd-africa.com
Osman-Elasha, B. (2022). Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Links to Sustainable Development in Africa. https://www.fao.org
Raath, A. et al. (2018). Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Cultural Heritage Law and Legal Principles. Tydskrif vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Reg, No. 4, 739-753.
Retiro, J., Mashoko, D., Tshuma, T., & Rurinda, E. (2012). Weather Forecasting and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Chimanimani District of Manicaland, Zimbabwe. Journal of Emerging Trends in Educational Research and Policy Studies, 3, 561-566.
Senanayake, S. G. J. N. (2006). Indigenous Knowledge as a Key to Sustainable Development. Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2, 87-94. https://doi.org/10.4038/jas.v2i1.8117
Sustainable Development Goals, Goal 17: Revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. https://www.un.org
The World Bank (2022). Indigenous Knowledge, Definitions, Concepts and Applications. https://chm.cbd.int
UNDRR (2022). Climate Change Triggers Mounting Food Insecurity, Poverty and Displacement in Africa. https://www.preventionweb.net
UNESCAP (2022). What Is Good Governance? https://www.unescap.org
UNESCO (2022). Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems. https://en.unesco.org
United Nations (2022a). United Nations Conference on Human Environment, 5-6 June 1972. https://www.un.org
United Nations (2022b). United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous People. https://www.un.org
United Nations (2022c). United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs—Sustainable Development. https://sdgs.un.org/goals
West African Countries. https://www.worldatlas.com