Intersecting western and local knowledge: critical issues for development research in Africa

Abstract

Knowledge production, sharing and adaptation become beneficial when they enhance sustainable human development. Western and local knowledge are not mutually exclusive. In combination, local and western technologies may work well than what they individually aim to do in specific contexts. This article proposes usage ‘preference theory’ as a basis for recognizing and perpetuating local knowledge in development research. It also identifies the commonalities between Western and indigenous knowledge. Discourse analysis is employed to critically address political, economic, environmental and cultural issues in knowledge production. The paper also suggests a model for the integration of both mainstream science and local knowledge and technologies for enhancing sustainable growth and development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).