Indigenizing, and Developing Africa: The Role of Indigenous Cultural Norms and Values

Abstract

The determinants of development of nation states are mostly skewed toward political serenity, abundance of natural resources, and the intellectual and managerial prowess of the human resource. However, the culture of a people and their values are very significant in the development of nation states even if they are yet to be nationalized in the polities of the African state. This article presents the empirical data that was obtained through interviews with traditional healers and herbalists within the Kasena-Nankana Municipality of Navrongo, and the Volta region, using the qualitative research method and a purposive sampling technique in order to explore the link between culture and development with particular focus in preserving and sustaining some natural resources such as fauna and flora species. It offers the emic insights of traditional healers and herbalists on how the increasing threat to cultural institutions affects the use of traditional medicine in Africa in general, and the aforementioned region in particular.