Contributions of Public and Traditional Institutions in Sustainable Eco-Cultural Tourism Development in the Lawra Municipality, Ghana

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue XI, November 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Contributions of Public and Traditional Institutions in Sustainable Eco-Cultural Tourism Development in the Lawra Municipality, Ghana

Issaka Kanton Osumanu^1*, Evelyn Abe-Iyel Guri²

¹Department of Environment and Resource Studies, University for Development Studies, Ghana
²Center for Indigenous Knowledge and Organizational Development, Ghana
^*Corresponding Author

Abstract: – The study assessed institutional roles in the development of potential eco-cultural tourism sites in Eremon in the Lawra Municipality of Ghana. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods (i.e. questionnaires administration, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews) were used. A sample of 138 household heads was drawn from five purposively selected communities for the study. In addition, six heads of formal institutions and 10 community (traditional) leaders were selected for in-depth interviews. The findings reveal that traditional authorities play crucial roles in managing and controlling potential tourism attractions in the community but they lack coordination with formal institutions. Their efforts are also challenged by inadequate technical knowledge, financial resources and logistics constraints. As a result, the attractions are currently not developed and promoted to be of benefit to the community. The study recommends strengthening institutional capacities to enhance the development and management of eco-cultural tourist sites.

Keywords: Eco-Cultural Tourism, Formal Institutions, Management, Promotion, Traditional Authorities

I. INTRODUCTION

Eco-tourism, over the years, has been identified as an engine of socio-economic and cultural growth, facilitating rural poverty reduction and for achieving sustainable community development in developing countries (Liu, 1996; Ceballos-Lascurain, 1996). The successes of many recent tourism destinations are due to the contributions of both formal and informal (local) institutions. For instance, proactive eco-tourism projects led by institutions ensure the following successes: sustainability, effective participation and collaboration between parties, reduces future obstacles to management, and smoothens tourism development processes (Ah-Choy, 2010; Bhuiyan et al., 2011). Understanding the roles of various institutions and their influences in tourism projects in rural areas is important because these institutions influence behaviors in all aspects of community development. They are also a very critical factor in determining whether, and in what form, local residents may participate in eco-tourism projects (Simpson, 2008; Osumanu and Ayamga, 2017).

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