COMMUNITY-BASED ECOTOURISM (CBET) AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN GHANA: A CASE STUDY OF MOGNORI ECO-VILLAGE ON THE FRINGE OF MOLE NATIONAL PARK IN GHANA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/JTHEM.1143023Keywords:
Community-Based Ecotourism, Ecotourism, Livelihood Diversification, Mognori Eco-Village, Mole National Park, Sustainable DevelopmentAbstract
The study explores CBET and sustainable development in Ghana, using Mognori Eco-village as a case study. The study seeks to explore how CBET contributes to livelihood diversification, community empowerment, environmental awareness, and socio-economic development at the local level. This study utilises a qualitative approach by integrating key informant interviews, direct observation and Focus Group Discussions to explore the socio-economic, cultural, and environmental implications of the Mognori Eco-Village CBET initiative. The findings highlight that, while the initiative has created increased economic opportunities, fostered stronger community cohesion, and raised awareness about conservation, several challenges remain, including limited market access, infrastructure deficiencies, and issues related to equitable participation in tourism governance. The study concludes that while Mognori Eco-Village represents a promising CBET model within protected-area contexts, sustained institutional support, equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms, and inclusive governance frameworks are critical to consolidating development gains. The paper contributes empirical insights to CBET scholarship and offers practical implications for policymakers and practitioners seeking to enhance the resilience of rural ecotourism initiatives in Ghana and comparable contexts.
Downloads
References
Agyeman, Y. B., Aikins, T. K., & Ahenkan, A. (2021). Community-based ecotourism and livelihood sustainability in Ghana. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 29(6), 987–1004.
Atanga, R. A. (2019). Stakeholder views on sustainable community-based ecotourism: a case of the Paga crocodile ponds in Ghana. Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites, 25(2), 321-333.
Boatbil, C. S., Yorose, W. A., & Yiran, A. B. (2024). Exploring community participation at ecotourism sites in the Upper East Region, Ghana. UDS International Journal of Development, 11(2), 1177-1181.
Boatbil, C. S., Yorose, W. A., & Yiran, A. B. (2024). Community participation in ecotourism development in northern Ghana. UDS International Journal of Development, 11(1), 45–62.
Buckley, R. (2019). Ecotourism. CABI.
Elkington, J., & Rowlands, I. H. (1999). Cannibals with forks: The triple bottom line of 21st century business. Alternatives Journal, 25(4), 42.
Eshun, F., & Asiedu, A. B. (2023). Residents’ empowerment for sustainable ecotourism: insights from Ghana. Anatolia, 34(2), 113-129.
Eshun, G., & Tichaawa, T. M. (2020). Towards sustainable ecotourism development in Ghana: Contributions of the local communities. Tourism: An International Interdisciplinary Journal, 68(3), 261-277.
Eshun, G., & Tonto, J. N. P. (2014). Community-based ecotourism: its socio-economic impacts at Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, Ghana. Bulletin of Geography. Socio-economic Series, (26), 67-81.
Goodwin, H., & Santilli, R. (2009). Community-based tourism: A success? ICRT Occasional Paper.
Kontogeorgopoulos, N., Churyen, A., & Duangsaeng, V. (2024). Community-based tourism and sustainability outcomes. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 32(2), 345–362.
Kuuder, C. J., Bagson, E., & oscar Aalangdong, I. (2013). Livelihood enhancement through ecotourism; A case of MognoriEcovillage near Mole national park, damongo, Ghana. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 4(4).
Mensah, I. (2017). Benefits and challenges of community-based ecotourism in park-fringe communities: The case of Mesomagor of Kakum National Park, Ghana. Tourism Review International, 21(1), 81-98. DOI: 10.3727/154427217X14866652018947
Mohammed, A. D., & Osumanu, K. I. (2022). Ecotourism and rural livelihood nexus: An assessment of the Wechiau community Hippo sanctuary reserve. European Journal of Development Studies, 2(3), 18-25.
Mtapuri, O., & Giampiccoli, A. (2019). Tourism, community-based tourism and ecotourism: a
definitional problematic. South African Geographical Journal= Suid-Afrikaanse Geografiese Tydskrif, 101(1), 22-35.
Ghana, C., Nartey, J., Obilie-Mante, V., & Boasikine, R. K. (2024). Community-Based Ecotourism Initiatives in Ghana: Balancing Conservation and Livelihoods. Available at SSRN 4786977.
Narzary, R., & Deb, R. (2024). Sustainable ecotourism research trends: A bibliometric analysis. Journal of Tourism Studies, 16(3), 1–20.
Nguyen, T. D., Hoang, H. D., Nguyen, T. Q., Fumikazu, U., Vo, T. P. T., & Nguyen, C. V. (2022). A multicriteria approach to assessing the sustainability of community-based ecotourism in Central Vietnam. APN Science Bulletin, 12(1), 123-140.
Nyaupane, G. P., Lew, A. A., & Tatsugawa, K. (2019). Community participation and cultural sustainability. Tourism Geographies, 21(2), 289–310.
Scheyvens, R. (1999). Ecotourism and the empowerment of local communities. Tourism Management, 20(2), 245–249.
Scheyvens, R., & Biddulph, R. (2018). Inclusive tourism development. Tourism Geographies, 20(4), 589–609.
Sproule, K. W. (1996). Community-based ecotourism development: Identifying partners in the process. The ecotourism equation: Measuring the impacts, 99(3), 233-250.
Stone, M. T., & Nyaupane, G. P. (2018). Ecotourism influence on community livelihoods. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 26(8), 1407–1424.
Stone, M. T., & Nyaupane, G. P. (2018). Protected areas, community participation and ecotourism. Tourism Management, 64, 1–15.
Stronza, A., Hunt, C., & Fitzgerald, L. (2019). Ecotourism for conservation? Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 44, 229–253.
UNDP. (2022). Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals. United Nations Development Programme.
UNWTO. (2023). Tourism and sustainable development. World Tourism Organisation.
UNWTO. (2023). Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals. UNWTO.
WCED. (1987). Our common future. Oxford University Press.
Wijaya, I. (2020). Implementation of community-based ecotourism concept in Paksebali Tourism Village, Bali Indonesia. Solid State Technology, 63(5), 4877-4887.
WCED. (1987). Our common future. Oxford University Press.
Weaver, D. (2020). Advanced ecotourism theory and practice. Journal of Ecotourism, 19(2), 87–103
