Achieving Sustainable Ecotourism in Ghana, Theory or Practise?

This book is an exposition on the socio-cultural, economic and environmental impact of the ecotourism industry in Ghana. The case studies used are Boabeng-Fiemma Monkey Sanctuary(BFMS) managed by the Nature Conservation Research Centre and Kakum National Park(KNP)managed by Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust.The findings provide an assessment of the extent to which Protected Areas (PA¿s) are successful in meeting their goals of economic, environmental and socio-cultural conservation. Ecotourist sites in Ghana follow values set out by international institutions such as the World Conservation Union, Convention on Biological Diversity and The International Ecotourism Society. Their operational strategies are meant to link ecotourism development and economic opportunities to positive environmental, historical and cultural conservation. Ecotourism has a significant impact on the economy as a key sector of revenue generation and foreign exchange earner, however visitor numbers must be effectively managed to preserve biodiversity of the PA¿s. Key issues need to be addressed if sustainable ecotourism in Ghana can be achieved in relation to achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.