Environmental Degradation and Poverty in Amansie Traditional Area: Investigating the Contributing Factors and the Role of Religion

Charles Ampofo

doi:10.38159/erats.2020093

Abstract

Environmental degradation and poverty are challenges faced in most parts of the world, and the global quest by some researchers to know the role religious bodieson should play in relation to these issues of concern continues unabated. The ripple effect of these challenges manifests in many areas such as socially, economically, morally, and spiritually. However, the prevailing factors within localities vary, hence requiring wholistic investigations peculiar to a community. Notably, these challenges cannot only be addressed by Government hence the call on Religious Bodiesn as an institution to assist in curbing this menace. This paper investigates the factors contributing to environmental degradation and poverty in Amansie Traditional Area and the role religion should play in addressing these challenges. Questionnaires and interviews were administered to assess these factors from townsfolks, religious leaders, institution heads, and other stakeholders. The results revealed significant factors contributing to these challenges and the roles both African Tradition and Christianity should play in addressing these challenges. The study recommends a strong collaborative effort from all stakeholders, especially religious institutions, in educating and sensitizing the people of Amansie on the issues of environmental sustainability and poverty alleviation.

Highlights

The World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) reports that, “Poverty is a major cause and effect of global environmental problems”, and that many parts of the world are caught in a vicious downwards spiral.2 It means that poor people are forced to overuse environmental resources to survive
This paper investigates the factors contributing to environmental degradation and poverty in Amansie Traditional Area and the role religion should play in addressing these challenges
Factors in Amansie contributing to Environment degradation Amansie communities are blessed with natural resources it is expected that these resources would be managed and exploited in an environmentally friendly and culturally appropriate manner to the benefit of everyone

Summary

Introduction

The World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) reports that, “Poverty is a major cause and effect of global environmental problems”, and that many parts of the world are caught in a vicious downwards spiral. It means that poor people are forced to overuse environmental resources to survive. The World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) reports that, “Poverty is a major cause and effect of global environmental problems”, and that many parts of the world are caught in a vicious downwards spiral.. There seems to be extensive illegal mining and its concomitant environmental degradation in Amansie Traditional Area which has commonly had led to a vicious cycle of poverty among the populace. With both Christianity and Traditional Religious adherents constituting 77.8 and 86.4 percent of the Amansie population respectively, it is thought that religion should be involved a major factor in building up a sustainable society.

Methods

Results

Conclusion