Evaluating traditional pottery production techniques and environmental sustainability in Northern Ghana

This study critically examines traditional pottery practices in Northern Ghana through the lens of environmental sustainability and cultural continuity. Pottery, deeply embedded in the region’s social and spiritual life, reflects sustainable techniques passed down across generations, utilizing locally sourced clay, natural pigments, and low-emission firing methods. Building on this background, the study aims to assess how indigenous pottery practices contribute to sustainable production while adapting to contemporary environmental and market pressures. Methodologically, a qualitative research design was employed, with data collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations involving 30 purposively selected potters from Tamale Metropolis, Sagnarigu, Tolon, and Kumbungu. The findings reveal the ecological value of traditional production techniques, the centrality of intergenerational knowledge transmission, and artisans’ adaptive strategies in response to modernization and environmental challenges. Notably, emerging practices such as clay recycling, the use of eco-friendly materials, and design innovations were identified as efforts to enhance market appeal while reducing environmental impact. The study concludes that traditional pottery practices in Northern Ghana constitute a viable model for sustainable craft production when adequately supported through artisan empowerment, institutional backing, and policy engagement. It therefore recommends targeted capacity-building initiatives, heritage-sensitive design education, and supportive cultural and environmental policies to sustain indigenous pottery practices and strengthen their contribution to Ghana’s cultural industries and broader sustainability discourse.