POTENTIALS OF ECO-CULTURAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE EREMON TRADITIONAL AREA, LAWRA DISTRICT OF GHANA: THE ROLE OF FORMAL AND INFORMAL INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

Although tourism, over the years, has contributed significantly to gross domestic product (GDP) in Ghana, its full potential contribution to alleviating poverty in rural communities has not been harnessed. The focus of the nation's tourism industry has always been lob-sided, as emphasis has most often been placed on historical, cultural and conference tourism, with little emphasis on eco-cultural tourism. The aim of this study was to explore the extent to which formal and informal institutions facilitate the development of eco-cultural tourist sites for poverty reduction in Eremon in the Lawra District of Ghana. To achieve the research aim, the study used various methods (qualitative and quantitative) in data collection. These included: focus group discussions, observations, in-depth interviews and questionnaires administration. The major finding was that: the study confirmed the existence of vast untapped potential tourism resources in the community that had existed for decades and being managed and controlled by the traditional authorities and the community. The study also showed that belief systems, values, bye-laws and practices are no more effective due to the influence of Western education, Christianity and Islam. Third, decision making processes with regard to tourism development least involved women due to the patriarchal nature of the community. Fourth, the findings were that formal institutions in tourism development lack coordination and are therefore less effective in the harmonization and development of tourism sites. The study recommends the need for de-schooling and re-schooling to protect and preserve the sites; put in place transparent structures for the management of tourism benefits; gender inclusion in the management of traditional protected areas; strengthen the capacity of informal institutions to manage eco-cultural tourism sites; and awareness creation on the existence of eco-cultural tourism sites district-wide and particularly in Eremon.