Community-based Ecotourism Potential: A Case Study of Sankana Slave Caves in Nadowli-Kaleo District of Upper West Region, Ghana

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science (IJRIAS) | Volume VI, Issue V, May 2021|ISSN 2454-6194

Community-based Ecotourism Potential: A Case Study of Sankana Slave Caves in Nadowli-Kaleo District of Upper West Region, Ghana

Cornelius K.A. Pienaah^1*, Bruno Berewono², Danganaa Mahama³, Jane Akanzum^4
1Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Environment and Sustainability Sciences, University for Development Studies, Ghana
²Faculty of Integrated Development Studies, Department of Social and Development Administration, Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, Ghana
³Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Environment and Sustainability Sciences, University for Development Studies, Ghana
⁴College of Art and Built Environment, Department of Planning, Kwame Nkrumah University for Science and Technology, Ghana
*Corresponding Author

Abstract
A major feature of the Upper West Region is its ancient caves. The caves found in Sankana, Bulenga and Dahili, were places of refuge for the inhabitants who were fleeing the slave raiders. Slave Camps can be found at Pizaga and Dolbizon and Slave market at Kassana and Salaga in the Upper East and Savannah Regions respectively. The study explored on the potential, strategies as well as effects of developing the Sankana Slave Caves as an ecotourism destination in light of the main pillars of sustainable development (economic, social/cultural, and environmental). The study adopted a mixed method approach. Questionnaires and FGD guides were employed to solicit views from participants. The study revealed that, the community members fully embraced the idea of ecotourism development in the community with emphasis that the slave caves development would serve as tool for poverty alleviation and livelihood enhancement through income generation related activities. Also, there would be an increase in tourists spending due to the direct sell of pottery, calabash art, wood, grass art, leather art, smock weaving, guest homes, food vending as well increase the cultural capital of the community. A three-prong strategy modelled on educative and, entertainment approach, and the use of tour operators were identified as strategies to attract tourists to the site. This study has made contributions to how community ecotourism development can be used as a strategic tool for poverty alleviation as in the case of Sankana slave caves in the Kaleo-Nadowli district in the Upper West Region.

Keywords: Ecotourism, Economic effect, Environmental effect, Slave Caves, Socio-cultural effect, Sustainable development.

1.Introduction

Ecotourism is the practice of traveling to relatively less exploited natural destinations to appreciate the natural settings, acquire knowledge about wildlife, and enjoy local cultures in authentic settings while conserving the environments of the destinations (Wallace, 2019, Lee & Jan, 2019). The significant features of ecotourism include the enrichment of nature as well as promoting local cultures, traditions and lifestyles in order to attract travelers to visit an area (Cobbinah, 2015; Fleischer, 2010). It is also defined as ‘purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the culture and natural history of the environment, taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem, while producing economic opportunities that make the conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people (OMT, 2014, p. 15’ cited in Yasu C. Martinez and Mara Rosas Baños).

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