Digitization of indigenous knowledge on forest foods and medicines

sbritwum — Thu, 23 Feb 2017 16:41:33 +0000

Description

This paper discusses the digitization of indigenous knowledge on forest foods and medicine for the effective management of Ghana’s forest resources. The paper is based on a survey conducted in nine communities in Ghana where primary data were obtained from 606 respondents using in-depth face-to-face interviews. The aim of the study was to assess what knowledge local communities had about products of the forest especially indigenous forest foods and medicine. The findings reveal that local communities have an in-depth knowledge of indigenous forest foods and medicines. They are conversant with what foods and medicines are available in the forests, how they are consumed and when they mature. The study reveals that consumption of indigenous forest foods is on the decline, while the use of traditional medicine is on the ascendancy. The study recommends the promulgation of laws and legal instruments to protect communities from bio-piracy.

sbritwum Thu, 02/23/2017 - 10:41

Citation

Sraku-Lartey, M., Acquah S. B., Samar S.B.; and Djagbletey G. D (2017). Digitisation of indigenous knowledge on forest foods and medicines, IFLA Journal, p.340035216681326. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0340035216681326.

Responsible party

CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana

Funding bodies

Elsevier Foundation

Attachment	Size
digitization_IK.pdf	649.1 KB

Language

Author

Sraku-Lartey, M., Acquah S. B., Samar S.B.; and Djagbletey G. D

Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Biological Invasions Digitization / forest foods / indigenous knowledge / indigenous knowledge systems / traditional medicine

Digitisation of Indigenous Knowledge in the Forestry Sector in Ghana

sbritwum — Mon, 24 Oct 2016 21:08:33 +0000

Digitisation of Indigenous Knowledge in the Forestry Sector in Ghana

In Ghana, there is hardly any system of recording, documenting and preserving indigenous knowledge (IK) or information, let alone a mechanism for capturing IK to cope with dynamic world needs. An option that can be pursued is for the IK so captured to be digitised and stored for later use. Digitisation is ideal for sharing, exchanging, educating, and preserving indigenous knowledge and cultures. This requires a clear design for metadata standards and procedures, multimedia technologies and appropriate structures for access and use.

sbritwum Mon, 10/24/2016 - 16:08

Objective

Identify, capture, document and digitise indigenous knowledge on forest foods and medicinal plants.
Create a database of indigenous knowledge so identified
Share knowledge of useful IK practices and their usage and thereby preserve the information to promote their wider application.
Establish a relationship between the knowledge identified and modern science
Develop a manual of procedures and best practices to document the knowledge so identified
Train researchers, librarians and information management personnel in the management of indigenous knowledge.
Explore the importance of indigenous knowledge systems in livelihood and socio-economic development in Ghana
Assess the contribution of indigenous knowledge to scientific research

Investigators

Margaret Sraku-Lartey, Stella Britwum Acquah, Sparklar Samar Brefo, Gloria Djagbletey and Naomi Appiah

Responsible party

CSIR-Forestry Research Institute of Ghana

Associated products or publications

'Prekese' Tipped As Potent Fruit For Curing Hypertension

Digitization of traditional knowledge on forest foods and medicinal plants in Ghana

Forestry Institute calls for digitisation of traditional knowledge on plants

Linking indigenous knowledge and science to address challenges facing society

Online database launched for Ghanaian indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants

Ghana – Forestry Institute records 289 essential food and medicinal plants

Ghana establishes online database on forest foods and medicinal plants

Funding bodies

Elsevier Foundation

Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Biological Invasions / Other Information indigenous knowledge / forest foods / medicinal plants