Project: Perceptions of Deforestation; the Role of External Influences in Environmental Consciousness

 Instructor: Dr. Abeney

            This project will explore one of the leading problems in Ghana's environmental development, deforestation, and the attitudes, which shape this spreading phenomenon.  The student will explore the public's perception of deforestation within Kumasi and the greater Ashanti region.  This research will include interviews and direct observation at all sites.  Environmental education will be of the utmost concern, as the student will attempt to extract each communities dedication to various environmental institutions, either through the form of NGOs, cultural tradition and custom, or personal determination.  Dr. Abeney will provide the student with a political framework of environmental, as well as a history of deforestation issues within these regions.  The student should be excited to personally interact with community members, and invest effort in learning new skills in geography and forestry.

Among several other questions, the student could explore the following:

• What is the general environmental awareness within each region?
• How has this been shaped and influenced?
• How prevalent is environmental education?
• How does the government get involved? NGOs? Primary schools?
• How do individuals within each community describe the process of deforestation? How do different perceptions change according to community involvement in education?
• What are the children's perceptions of deforestation?
• What are each community's sources of income?
• Is the land that has been cleared part of the community's revenue?
• What does a cost-benefit analysis show?

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last updated 11/15/01