Socio cultural factors and value of green areas: A case study of Afigya Kwabre South District, Kumasi, Ghana

It has been fairly and widely acknowledged that there is the need to shift focus and commitment towards the preservation of green areas due to their enormous benefits as means to attain sustainable development with inclusive and accessible open green areas. In view of the high rate of green areas depletion and the lack of adequate knowledge about the concept in Ghana, this study sought to explain the influence of sociocultural factors and motivating or demotivating factors on perceived values of green areas in the Afigya Kwabre South District (AKSD) of the Ashanti Region of Ghana with a focus on the state, forms or types of green areas, sociocultural factors (norms, beliefs and customs) and motivating or demotivating factors influencing perceived value of green areas as well as the perceived values of green areas. Sociodemographic characteristics such as age, gender, education, religion, occupation and income levels were also present in the sample to highlight and explain the dynamics in responses. The study adopted a qualitative research approach with a case study design. Purposive sampling was used to select a sample size of 30 respondents for semi-structured interviews from four communities in the study district namely Hemang, Ntiribuoho, Buoho and Kodie. Data was organised and analysed in atlas. ti software and manually with the use of a frequency distribution table to address the four (4) research questions formulated to guide the study. The study revealed that generally, respondents had a fair idea of what constitutes green areas but were not satisfied with their deplorable states. The study found that the existing types of green areas were mainly the religious sites i.e. (grotto) and the sacred forest, agricultural lands with mountainous areas, school parks, normal trees and scrubs. Normal trees such as bamboo, wawa, odum, nim tree and plantain trees formed the main types of existing green areas easily seen at a glance. The study further revealed that norms, beliefs and customs play significant role in influencing perceived values of green areas. Taboos, myths and superstition were revealed as key sociocultural factors that significantly helps in the preservation of green areas and at the same time instils morals and values in people, thereby influencing perceived values of green areas. The study observed a high level of depletion of green areas to the built environment. However, concern for loss of green areas and the expression of need for its preservation were equally revealed by the study. More so, the study recorded clean and well- maintained green areas, social interaction, accessibility as well as social and physical features as key motivating and demotivating factors that enhanced resident’s satisfaction levels. All respondents appreciated beauty provided by green areas as a key value of green areas. All sociocultural factors such as gender, age, religion, education, income level and occupation influenced respondents perceived value for green areas. The study concludes that the development of green areas as well as the values assigned to same in AKSD is still at the budding stage and are under serious sociocultural influences. The study recommends that there is the need for the Assembly to make conscious efforts provide access to inclusive and accessible open green and public spaces for all persons as all respondents of all ages and sex expressed interest in accessing and protecting such areas. Agricultural land areas must also be protected to ensure productive and sustainable agriculture.