Journal of Energy and Natural Resource Management (JENRM), Vol. 8, No. 1, 17-25, 2022 DOI: 10.26796/jenrm.v8i1.193 (Research Article) Connecting Traditional Belief Systems, Natural Resource Conservation and Sustainability in West Gonja Traditional Area of Ghana Zakaria Shanunu 1* , Adams Sulemana Achanso 2 , Eliasu Mumuni 3 Abstract The role of culture and traditional belief systems in natural resource conservation and sustainability is a critical component of the West Gonja Traditional Area’s natural resources and environmental sustainability. This study, therefore, examines how culture and traditional belief systems are used in natural resource conservation and sustainability in Ghana using the Gonja traditional area as a case study. Oral traditions, observation, visitation, and other written materials were mostly used to gather literature. Open-ended and closed-ended interview guide was sent out to the traditional chiefs, guardians (custodians) and sub-chiefs. Interviews were also conducted with sacred groves owners, shrine owners, rivers, forests owners, landowners and the overlord of the traditional area (Yagbonwurah). Taboos and belief systems, according to the study, can be a required and complementary instrument in creating a sustainable social order and moral rectitude in modern times. The study identified taboos, myths, beliefs, proverbs, exile or banishment, death threats, barrenness, traditional communication and songs as belief systems that are mostly used for the conservation and sustainability of natural resources. To effectively conserve and sustain natural resources, policymakers must incorporate internationally driven, geographically targeted, multidisciplinary, and inclusive policies that emphasize the empowerment of cultural and traditional belief systems. Keywords Sustainable development; Culture; Traditional; Environment; Protection; Shrine; Social; Beliefs; Taboos; Natural Resources; Myths; Traditional communication 1 Anthropology and Sociology Department, Faculty of Communication and Culture, University for Development Studies, Tamale 2 Department of Development Management and Policy Studies, Faculty of Sustainable Development, University for Development Studies, Tamale 3 Communication, Innovation and Technology Department, Faculty of Communication and Culture, University for Development Studies, Tamale *Corresponding author: zshanunu@uds.edu.gh DOI: 10.26796/jenrm.v8i1.193 Received: 12 December 2021; Received in revised form: 25 March 2022; Accepted: 15 April 2022; Published: 30 April 2022 Contents 1 Introduction 17 1.1 The significance of cultural indicators in conservation 19 2 Materials and Method 20 2.1 Profile of the Study Area .................. 20 5 2.2 Research Design and Data Collection Methods ..... 20 3 Results and Discussion 21 3.1 Cultural and traditional belief systems used in maintaining and sustaining natural resources in the Damongo Traditional Area of Ghana ......................... 21 10 3.2 Benefits of Taboos to Natural Resources Conservation 21 3.3 Ignorance of Traditional and Cultural Beliefs in Natural Resource Conservation .................... 21 3.4 Importance of Traditional Belief Systems in the Traditional Area ................................ 22 15 4 CONCLUSION 22 References 22 1. Introduction Belief systems are the stories we tell ourselves to deĄne our personal sense of reality. Every human being globally 20 has a belief system that they utilize, and it is through this mechanism that we individually, Şmake senseŤ of the world around us. Culture helps in economic develop- ment in a variety of sectors, including tourism, creative industries, agriculture, food and medicine, natural re- 25 source protection, Ąsheries and their sustainability (Cair- ney 2019). Although a growing number of scholars and organizations, such as the United Nations Educational, ScientiĄc and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), have realized the importance of culture and belief systems in 30 sustainable development and made substantial eforts to integrate them, the debates against conventional sustain- ability discourses remain challenging. Culture contributes to the development of environmentally sustainable and safe communities. Eforts to preserve both tangible and 35 intangible cultural goods promote environmental, eco-