Borassus aethiopum Mart. Ethnobotanical Knowledge and Application in the Volta Region of Ghana

Abstract Borassus aethiopum Mart. is highly valued in communities where it is distributed across the globe due to its ethnobotanical importance. However, the current patterns of their use preferences, cultural importance, and value index have yet to be assessed in Ghana. Ethnobotanical data on Borassus aethiopum knowledge and application were gathered from 308 respondents using semi-structured interviews in April and May of 2023. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices in R statistical software were used to analyze the data. The leaf, stem, petiole, root, young shoot, fruit, seed, and fruit husk were identified as being used for 22 applications. Fencing recorded the highest mentions, followed by food, shed construction, and firewood. The utilization category with the greatest number of mentions was material. The highest cultural importance and value index were observed for the leaf. The leaf was mainly used for making handcrafted products. The study revealed a high fidelity level for applications in material use categories associated with rural populations and service scarcity. The study confirms B. aethiopum socio-economic importance to local communities in the Agotime Ziope District. However, the sustainability of ethnobotanical utilization is not known. The study recommends assessing the current population status, biology, and ecology of B. aethiopum to evaluate the effect of harvest on wild populations. Cite this article as: Boakye, M. K., Adunu, S.K, Gbadegbe, R.S., Quashie, M.C., Agyemang, A.O., & Dankwa, R. (2025). Borassus aethiopum mart. ethnobotanical knowledge and application in the Volta region of Ghana. Forestist, 75, 0017, doi:10.5152/ forestist.2024.24017.