Indigenous knowledge indicators in determining climate variability in rural Ghana

Abstract

Climate variability has become a critical issue for rural farmers in Ghana due to its impacts on factors responsible for agricultural food production. The aim of this research was to investigate indigenous knowledge indicators in determining climate variability in rural Ghana.. A descriptive case study using mixed-methods was employed. Questionnaire and interviews were used to gather the data from 211 household heads across six study communities. Quantitative data collected was analysed descriptively while the qualitative information was analysed using a thematic approach. Findings revealed indigenous people used the growth of local plants species, chirping of crickets, wind direction, and millipedes’ movement as indicators to detect an approaching season or sudden variation of climate, while the leaves of the “populs” plant and insect chirping were indicators determining excessive heat. The article recommends the Ghana Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology incorporate indigenous knowledge into climate change adaptation policies and strategies.