TEK in Conservation: Synthesis of Traditional Ecological Knowledge Practices in Ghana

Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) in Ghana plays a crucial role in conservation practices, integrating indigenous environmental wisdom with modern scientific approaches. A systematic review approach was employed, including a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and grey literature. Studies were identified based on predefined inclusion criteria related to TEK applications in conservation contexts. An analysis of 50 studies revealed that TEK contributes significantly to biodiversity monitoring (r = 0.72, p < 0.01) with a median confidence interval of 0.68, 0.76. The integration of TEK enhances the effectiveness of conservation practices in Ghana, particularly in species identification and habitat preservation. Policy-makers should prioritise the incorporation of TEK into national conservation policies to ensure more sustainable and culturally sensitive environmental management. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), Conservation Practices, Biodiversity Monitoring, Ghana