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THE IMPACT OF TOURISM IN GHANA

SOCIAL IMPACT

-Tourism, one of Ghana’s youngest industries, has grown to show its worth by impacting on the lives of Ghanaians. Contributions by various individuals and organizations have yielded much and continue top address social, economic, and physical needs of the people. It has also left footprints of adverse effects on the people. Among the three categories mentioned above, tourism has had one or more negative effects on the country. A critical assessment of tourism will be made based on these categories.

    All things being equal, all ventures go a long way to effect a change in the lives of the people. Our interests and well-beings as human beings prior to all other matters. This then triggers the need to critically examine the impact of tourism in Ghana. Some identifiable aspects have been elaborated below:

 

JOB CREATION

erection of facilities for tourism, improvement of infrastructure  to attract the outside world ,preservation of tourist sites, the hospitality  industry, the transportation industry, tour guiding,etc. have provided Ghanaians with jobs.
  Prior to the NAM conference, government put in place measures to create a good first impression to visitors from the participating countries. This also prompted the need to build one of Ghana’s finest buildings, The Accra International Conference Center. This brought joy to the people. Jobs were to be created and money began to soar in. This created about 200 jobs. Construction and refurbishment also brought jobs to the people.
  Tourist get into the country through various routes and means. Operators of these transport system get themselves involved, therefore, into jobs which help them cater for themselves and their families. For example, operators of the Ghana International Airline employ drivers, porters, receptionists, security men, etc. A lot of Ghanaians takes such jobs and end up gaining income through these jobs.
  For tourist sites to keep their beauty and fine attractions there should be regular checks on these areas. The various attractions have employ people (Ghanaians) who do these and are being paid. Managers are also employed to take care of these. Tourism therefore put money in the pocket of Ghanaians, to conclude.

INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
One may say that infrastructure has rather a direct effect on the environment. Remember also that these structures are used by Ghanaians and impact more on our lives.
   Through the process of creating a befitting environment for the tourism industry, many structures has been built. Roads have been constructed to certain tourist destinations to enhance accessibility. This in a way helps residents of these areas. The access these routes also in their daily routines. The Accra – Cape Coast road is now been put into a good shape. It is the believe of the government that this will enhance tourism in the Central Region and also will help citizens of these communities to go about their normal business activities in and outside the central region. Routes such as the Accra – Keta road are also undergoing similar works to help improve tourism in and around the Volta Region. Inhabitants of these communities also use these routes in their various endeavors.

UNIFICATION OF GHANAIANS
The Joseph’s project and PANAFEST are projects being organized to support the move to relate blacks in the Diaspora to their roots.
   The Joseph’s project is the younger of the two and it is aimed at linking blacks outside the country to their families at home. The PANAFEST which has been in existence for close to ten years has activities which bring blacks from the Caribbean the Americas and Europe. PANAFEST include activities such as the emancipation day where these ‘visitors’ are taken through a series of discussions and excursions to enlighten them on the slave trade which led them abroad. The slave trade is enacted by various drama groups. There are trips to places such as Assin Manso, where it is believed that Ghanaians slaves have their last bath before their departure.
  These activities also help in the unification of Ghanaians at home and abroad to provide the atmosphere for mutual help. The visitors have their culture handed over to them and they in turn initiate projects to improve the lives of their relations at home. These include the provision of structures such as Hospitals, Schools, Recreational grounds, etc. In Cape Coast, a fund has been established to cater for the educational needs of children in the Cape Coast community.

PRESERVATION OF CULTURE HERITAGE
Tourism and culture are inseparable in Ghana. Our heritage and our rich culture attract tourists. Festivals such as the Homowo of the Ga’s, Odwira of the Asante’s, Hogbetsotso Za of the Anlo, Bakatue of the Edina, Aboakyere of the Efutu’s, etc. attract viewers from all over the world.
  Culture embodies, drumming and dancing, food and drinks, and clothing. Chief’s during these activities put on their best Kente cloths, Sparkling Ahenema and expensive Gold and Diamond ornaments. Obviously, tourists get excited by this and attend these festivals over and over again.
  Ghanaians have realised the need to develop and reshape their culture in other to form a strong force in attracting tourist. This way, we preserve and make sure that we pass on this culture to the up coming generations and uphold our heritage

ECONOMIC IMPACT

  Economically, tourism as a business has had some impact on the growth of Ghana’s economy. Now ranked the 3rd highest foreign exchange earner, tourism as at 1998 contributes close to $285 million to the economy. Present figures for tourism earnings are not yet out but with an average growth rate of 41.3%, one should expect ‘big’.
  In addition to this, hotels, transportation services pay tax to the government on the services they have rendered.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 

I. POSITIVE IMPACTS

DEVELOPMENT OF A STABLE OF ECOLOGICAL BALANCE.
     
   Eco – tourism, in tits role, helps in manifesting a good ecological balance. In an ecosystem, each and every organism has its part to play to ensure that the ecosystem is a stable one. Hence, if anyone of these organisms are taken away, the ecosystem suffers. 
           It is in this light that tourism comes in. Various tourist sites are natural, and as such much effort has been put i9n buy the government, non-government organizations and individuals to ensure that these tourist sites are conserved fore our younger generations. An example can be made of Kakum National Park where due to the conservation of the plants and animals that is found there. These plants and animals have helped to conserve the natural habitat of various species of organisms that we once thought to be extinct. An example can also be made of the once thought to be extinct Tragelaphus  spekei. This species of fish was found in the Volta River very recently due to the effort put in by the government to ensure that the wetlands in and around the area are well preserved. When ecological balance is achieved, various cycles that occur naturally in nature are also maintained such as nitrogen cycle, water cycle and hydrogen cycle. As such the general well-being of the people in and around such tourist sites has improved greatly.