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.
Highlights
Environmental degradation caused Ghana GH¢42.3 billion which is 10 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2016
According to a new report released at the second United Nations Environment Assembly [40], the rate at which environmental degradation and pollution can kill is up to 234 times as compared to many premature deaths caused by conflicts annually, highlighting the devastating effect of an healthy environment in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This paper presents a case study on the role taboos play in contemporary times relating to the environment in the day-today activities of the people of Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana (Figure 1)
Summary
Environmental degradation caused Ghana GH¢42.3 billion which is 10 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2016. According to a new report released at the second United Nations Environment Assembly [40], the rate at which environmental degradation and pollution can kill is up to 234 times as compared to many premature deaths caused by conflicts annually, highlighting the devastating effect of an healthy environment in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Activities of humans in the wanton degradation of the environment has reached its apogee something which has stimulated global trepidations for governments and international bodies to seriously begin to enact laws and have days observed as a means of protecting the earth and the environment. The "Earth Day of the United Nations Conference on Human Environment" instituted in 1970 and the "International Year of Sanitation, 2008", are but a few days observed to raise awareness and accelerate programs towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) goal seven, that deals with environmental sustainability [39]. The United Nations International Strategy for Emmanuel Abeku Essel: The Role of Taboos in Solving Contemporary Environmental
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