Technical: Bryan R., Gr. 8, Muir School
Title: Tourism
Category: 3. Trade/International Economics
URL: http://www.worldtourism.homestead.com
Bibliography: http://worldtourism.homestead.com/narrative.html
School: Mfantsipim School
Cape Coast, Central Region, Ghana
3 students, ages henry-17, martin-16, kwak worked together to complete this Doors to Diplomacy project on February 28, 2006. They have participated in Doors to Diplomacy in the following year(s): 2005
Classes and Teachers: Harry K. Tetteh/ Henry/ Martin/ Kwaku
Our School's Web Site: http://www.mfantsipim.com
1. Description of Our Team
Our team comprises of three individuals; Henry, Martin and Kwaku. We are seventeen, sixteen, and seventeen years of age respectively. Tourism is an activity which involves an urge to explore nature. It is interesting to know that we three have a great interesting finding out more about our surroundings. Again, to critically examine the great tourism potentials in the country and the measures being put in place to develop these places, a considerable amount of work has to be done. Henry, was assigned to examine the history and development of tourism in Ghana. Martin compiled information on the challenges facing tourism in Ghana. Kwaku was assigned to the task of processing all information. On the ‘Come Tour with Us’ aspect of our work, all three had to come together to generate ideas on how to put p a good picture of Ghana’s tourist sites. Our Coach, Mr. Harry K. Tetteh, also brought us information concerning the Doors to Diplomacy Project. He served as a link between the team and the organizers. He also had to motivate us with certain incentives like nice drinks since we sometimes had to skip our meals to have our work complete. He made us feel on the top and to regard ourselves as winners.
2. Summary of Our Project
Ghana, formerly known as ‘Gold Coast’ (in the ancient era), has a profound attitude of preserving its great historical features and its natural environment.
The slave trade in the Gold Coast era has left behind many structures of interest to both domestic and international tourists. This makes Ghana a favourable destination for tourism together with its heart warming natural environment and hospitable society.
In view of this, since independence, the government of Ghana has being making efforts in developing Ghana into a prominent tourism destination among its neighbours and the world at large.
Tourism can boast of efforts in improving upon the socio-economic status of Ghanaians. The tourism industry in Ghana has provided Ghanaians jobs, infrastructural development and contribution to the national income, just to mention a few. These benefits catapulted the initiative to develop tourism in Ghana. Tourism is the fastest growing industry in Ghana and is at an average growth rate of 41.3% annually and the third largest foreign exchange earner in Ghana.
This project is to provide a general overview of Tourism in Ghana; as we take a look at the history and development in Ghanaian tourism. We shall also explore the tourist areas in Ghana. Come tour with us!
3. Our Computer and Internet Access
A. Percentage of students using the Internet at home: none
B. Number of workstations with Internet access in the classroom: none
C. Connection speed used in the classroom: dial-up modem
D. Number of years our classroom has been connected to the Internet: 1
E. Additional comments concerning your computer and/or Internet access
We had no internet connection in the school and no computers in our houses.
4. Problems We Had To Overcome
There were a lot of problems me and my students overcame on this project. The major problems were computer access and internet access. The school’s computer lab had only three working computers which need to be shared by seven teams. There school had no internet connection so I (the coach) always save the students work and later send it on their behalf through the internet café.
5. Our Project Sound Bite
Doors to Diplomacy has really help me and my students to learn and unveil so many issues of concern to our community and to the world.
6. How did your activities and research for this Doors to Diplomacy Project support standards, required coursework and curriculum standards?
Our project addresses the needs of tourists both home and abroad that need first hand information the great tourist sites in Ghana. Our project is in simple flown language and can address the needs of people of all tourists. Kwaku, a history student learnt more of our struggle independence and colonial Ghana. Martin and Henry, as biologist also learnt the names and behavior of certain plant and animal species. For example, Martin and Henry found out more about the climatic conditions in the forest habitat. We really felt refreshed by the soothing atmosphere of the Kakum National Park. The temperature was almost constant throughout the day and provided a conclusive atmosphere mosses and other bryophytes. All along the project we learnt to satisfy group interest first and also how to have our assignments completed to ensure process of the group. Through this project we learnt to tolerate the unyielding efforts of others.
1) What information tools & technologies did you used to complete your Doors to Diplomacy project?
To paint a good picture of tourism in Ghana, the had to employ the use of certain electronic gadgets. The information we had to be typed and we did this by the help of a Pentium II Laser computer with Windows XP professional in the school’s computer lab. This was successful though we encountered certain problems with its speed and floppy drive. The team had to use a payphone in the school premises to invite personnel from the university of Cape Coast campus to grant us an interview on the impact of tourism in Ghana. Through the phone, we also communicated with the personnel to lecture us the types of tourism in Ghana under the introduction. Pictures of the Kakum National park, fort St Jago, interactions with the personnel of the Ghana Tourist board in Cape Coast and the interviews with our resource person. For us the tourists, the camera has been really been of great help to us. We sometimes run out of pictures and had to scan certain pictures from brochures given to us by the Cape Coast branch of the Ghana Tourist Board our school provided.
2) In what ways did you act as "ambassadors" and spokespersons for your Doors to Diplomacy project both on-line and in person?
Our help mainly came from Harry K. Tetteh who was the coach. In addition, our fellow mates helped us in terms of financial aid, and other equipments such as cameras, recorders and provision of psychological back up. Furthermore, we obtained help from Mr. Prince Agortey and personnel of the Ghana Tourist Board.
5) Discoveries, Lessons and Surprises: Assassination Attempt
In the course of our project we came across a wide range of tourist sites in the country, some of which we as Ghanaians hadn’t seen or heard of. We also found out about how these tourist destinations are faring, the problems they facing and had a chance to have a clear glimpse of these for ourselves. As part of our efforts to synthesize the whole world of tourism in Ghana, we found out that the government was really doing a lot to help the industry with the information of a new ministry for Tourism and Modernization of the capital city. However, the efforts of the government are being crippled by lack of cooperation of Ghanaians. There were a lot of surprises. For instance, we never knew of an assassination attempt on a first president. However through this project, we were able to find out about when this incident occurred and its location.
Henry A., age 17
Kweku F. B. – L., age 16
Martin T., age 16