Ecotourism implementation in the Kakum conservation area, Ghana: administrative framework and local community experiences

In principle ecotourism should support environmental conservation and local development; however, achieving success in delivering on frequently competing objectives of conservation and development has often proven difficult in many ecotourism destinations in Africa. This paper focuses on the implementation of ecotourism in the Kakum Conservation Area (KCA), the most popular ecotourism destination in Ghana. It examines the current administrative framework for implementing ecotourism, and the involvement and experiences of ecotourism by communities around the KCA. A case study research method was adopted using in-depth interviews with local residents and relevant park and non-governmental organisation agency staff. Findings indicate that the implementation of ecotourism is not recognised by the park officials as a process requiring negotiation between stakeholders with different agendas. Thus, the current ecotourism administrative framework does not acknowledge community involvement and participation as relevant to the implementation of ecotourism in the KCA which has generated mixed experiences among the local residents.