Learning effects of an experiential groundwater resource game in north-eastern Ghana

The growth of dry season farming in Ghana is putting increased pressure on groundwater resources. Using mixed methods this paper examines the learning effect of an experiential groundwater resource game in Ghana’s Upper East Region that simulates real-life resource use and common-pool resource manag...

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Main Authors: Blackmore, Ivy, ElDidi, Hagar, Obuobie, Emmanuel, Akuriba, Margaret, Zhang, Wei, Ringler, Claudia, Meinzen-Dick, Ruth S.
Format: Preprint
Language:Inglés
Published: 2024
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169367
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author Blackmore, Ivy
ElDidi, Hagar
Obuobie, Emmanuel
Akuriba, Margaret
Zhang, Wei
Ringler, Claudia
Meinzen-Dick, Ruth S.
author_browse Akuriba, Margaret
Blackmore, Ivy
ElDidi, Hagar
Meinzen-Dick, Ruth S.
Obuobie, Emmanuel
Ringler, Claudia
Zhang, Wei
author_facet Blackmore, Ivy
ElDidi, Hagar
Obuobie, Emmanuel
Akuriba, Margaret
Zhang, Wei
Ringler, Claudia
Meinzen-Dick, Ruth S.
author_sort Blackmore, Ivy
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The growth of dry season farming in Ghana is putting increased pressure on groundwater resources. Using mixed methods this paper examines the learning effect of an experiential groundwater resource game in Ghana’s Upper East Region that simulates real-life resource use and common-pool resource management dilemmas. Results indicate short and medium-term learnings associated with participation in the game. During the game, group interaction and communication improved cooperation and led to more sustainable game behaviors. The positive learning effects from the game persisted 12 months after the intervention. Game participants mentioned sustained lessons learned about the depletable and shared nature of groundwater resources and the importance of communication and collective governance. There were also examples of conscious selection of water conserving crops and the creation community watering schedules to manage water use. Findings highlight the important role experiential learning games can play in fostering real-life behavior change and sustainable natural resource use.
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spelling CGSpace1693672025-10-23T09:36:41Z Learning effects of an experiential groundwater resource game in north-eastern Ghana Blackmore, Ivy ElDidi, Hagar Obuobie, Emmanuel Akuriba, Margaret Zhang, Wei Ringler, Claudia Meinzen-Dick, Ruth S. sustainability natural resources management groundwater agriculture experiential learning irrigation The growth of dry season farming in Ghana is putting increased pressure on groundwater resources. Using mixed methods this paper examines the learning effect of an experiential groundwater resource game in Ghana’s Upper East Region that simulates real-life resource use and common-pool resource management dilemmas. Results indicate short and medium-term learnings associated with participation in the game. During the game, group interaction and communication improved cooperation and led to more sustainable game behaviors. The positive learning effects from the game persisted 12 months after the intervention. Game participants mentioned sustained lessons learned about the depletable and shared nature of groundwater resources and the importance of communication and collective governance. There were also examples of conscious selection of water conserving crops and the creation community watering schedules to manage water use. Findings highlight the important role experiential learning games can play in fostering real-life behavior change and sustainable natural resource use. 2024-04-16 2025-01-17T20:00:05Z 2025-01-17T20:00:05Z Preprint https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169367 en Open Access Blackmore, Ivy; ElDidi, Hagar; Obuobie, Emmanuel; Akuriba, Margaret; Zhang, Wei; Ringler, Claudia; and Meinzen-Dick, Ruth S. 2024. Learning effects of an experiential groundwater resource game in north-eastern Ghana. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4796586
spellingShingle sustainability
natural resources management
groundwater
agriculture
experiential learning
irrigation
Blackmore, Ivy
ElDidi, Hagar
Obuobie, Emmanuel
Akuriba, Margaret
Zhang, Wei
Ringler, Claudia
Meinzen-Dick, Ruth S.
Learning effects of an experiential groundwater resource game in north-eastern Ghana
title Learning effects of an experiential groundwater resource game in north-eastern Ghana
title_full Learning effects of an experiential groundwater resource game in north-eastern Ghana
title_fullStr Learning effects of an experiential groundwater resource game in north-eastern Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Learning effects of an experiential groundwater resource game in north-eastern Ghana
title_short Learning effects of an experiential groundwater resource game in north-eastern Ghana
title_sort learning effects of an experiential groundwater resource game in north eastern ghana
topic sustainability
natural resources management
groundwater
agriculture
experiential learning
irrigation
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169367
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