Indigenous Knowledge and Artificial Intelligence Nexus: A Review of Climate Change Adaptation Among Agrarian Households in the Upper West Region, Ghana.

The dependence of farming households in Ghana’s Upper West Region on rainfed agriculture makes their livelihood climate vulnerable. Farmers in the area have relied on indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) for generations to adjust to changing climate. This includes observing animal behaviour, plant cycles, and performance of community rituals to guide farming decisions. Though these practices remain valuable, their reliability is reducing due largely to today’s unpredictable climate parameters. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technologies provide forecasting, pest detection, and digital advisory services. Despite these promising prospects, the integration of AI with IKS is still limited. There is clear evidence that using hybrid technologies and approaches such as AI-driven forecasting, community participation, and using local language interfaces can improve resilience while respecting local culture. There are, however, challenges to integration, which include data and infrastructure gaps, digital literacy, and ethical concerns around data ownership and bias. Many opportunities lie in inclusive policies and community-driven frameworks, as well as farmer-centered designs. This review concludes that blending AI with IKS provides a practical and culturally grounded pathway for climate-smart agriculture. Success in this regard, however, depends on trust among stakeholders, equity, and strong institutional support.