Urban Management and Heritage Tourism for Sustainable Development

(The Case of Elmina Cultural Heritage and Management Programme in Ghana)

THE SUMMARY
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TITLE OF JOURNAL

Urban Management and Heritage Tourism for Sustainable Development

(The Case of Elmina Cultural Heritage and Management Programme in Ghana)

THE SUMMARY

Basically, this summary is consisting of aspects covering the problems and conflicts arrises,
together with the solutions and recommendations regarding them. Firstly, a brief explanation
about Elmina. The major economic activities in Elmina beside tourism include fishing, salt
mining, canoe and boat building and trading activities. The living standards of people there
are low and this is reflected in the environment. Fishing which provides direct and indirect
jobs is the predominant economic activity. However, the fishing harbour is silted and
polluted. The beaches are covered with waste. The city’s drainage system is poor and
problem of inadequate basic road, telecommunication and electricity infrastructure. On the
other hand, opportunities for good health care and education are constrained and these impact
on the living standards of the residents. Then, it has been discovered that number of tourist
visiting Elmina are increasing. This will give benefits to economic potential of the heritage
monuments there. Private investors have started recognising the potential of Elmina as a
tourist destination, and in recent years three-star beach resorts for example Elmina Beach
Resort and Coconut Grove with good quality restaurants which provides satisfying dishes and
meals have been built to meet the needs of the increasing number of tourists.

Problems and conflicts arrises:-

While, in referring to Ghana Vision 2020, heritage assets are in danger as many historic
towns. There are no such protections to buildings of historical, religious or aesthetic
importance, sites of scientific interest and natural features of outstanding beauty. Many have
been damaged or destroyed instead of being safeguarded for future generations. This situation
of development such as meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of
the future generations to meet their own needs. According to Akyeampong (2003), Ghana’s
tourist industry, like that of other developing countries, is oriented mostly towards attracting
and caring for vacation or business traveller. The country generates very little leisure travel
because of the generally low levels of disposable incomes. This is due to inadequate local
funds, slow response of some development partners. They tend to ignore about Elmina
 Urban Management and Heritage Tourism for Sustainable Development
(The Case of Elmina Cultural Heritage and Management Programme in Ghana)

THE SUMMARY
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development as they not even see this destination to be one of tourist attraction in Ghana and
no elements of heritage to be sustained. Thus, further action is needed to deepen stakeholder
participation, urban management and good governance for sustainable heritage development.
Poor attitudes of some citizens lead to indiscriminate dumping of waste. They do not realize
that without local participation, sustainable strategy cannot be achieved. A weakness, on the
contrary, is any factor that hinders the city in realising its objectives and strategies,
capitalising on its opportunities, or defending against its threats. The weaknesses includes
poor drainage, lack of viable industries, lack of cold storage and processing facilities for
fishing industry, high rate of unemployment, high poverty rate, high illiteracy rate, weak
internal revenue sources for district assembly and low level of technology. Besides, the
weaknesses also closely related to threats long chieftaincy disputes and global competition of
tourism in the sub-region. There are also elements of misunderstanding in the efforts of
retaining heritage tourism. The heritage tourism phenomenon has often been criticised for
converting local cultures and lifestyles into “commodities” for sale to foreign audiences.
Those who critiqued does not really understand the concept of interplay between culture and
development, is both complex and dynamic. With modernisation, urbanisation and the
progressive opening up of the country, the society absorbs new influences or gains new
experiences by interacting with other societies. It is important; therefore, to preserve the
positive progress-enhancing aspects of our cultural traditions. Urban management must
respect and incorporate human practices and actions of the local people into its professional
approach to urban development. Empowering and participation of local and other partners in
identifying and implementing the local development strategies is capable of improving local
economy. Cultural commoditisation, it is argued, contributes to the denigration of social
customs, the alienation of residents and the creation of homogeneity between places.

Solutions and recommendations:-

The government of Ghana implement The Elmina Cultural Heritage and Management
Programme as to overcome the overall problem as stated above. First of all they should study
and realized the strength of Elmina itself which covers its strategic location, castles and forts
recognised as world heritage, as on of the tourist attraction, seat of local government, rich
culture and annual festivals, large unutilised land area for expansion, good landing bay for
fishing vessels, well-established fish market, big production of salt and also availability of
two standard hotels with fine beaches. For the problem of country generates very little leisure
 Urban Management and Heritage Tourism for Sustainable Development
(The Case of Elmina Cultural Heritage and Management Programme in Ghana)

THE SUMMARY
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travel because of the generally low levels of disposable incomes, private sector give initiative
to enhance people’s entrepreneurial capacity. They do take advantage of the existing
opportunities available. Then they create wealth and generate employment at the same time
completing the government’s efforts in the development process. By doing these, the capacity
of the private sector is being developed to take advantage of the opportunities to expand
employment and the most important thing to increase incomes. the problem of silted and
polluted are being overcome with the improvement of fishing activities and fishing harbour
to be completed equipped with a community-owned supply of pre-mix fuel depot at the
fishing ground. Then, there will be increase in toll paid at the fishing landing bay. So, only
people who really want to go fishing can enter the territory. Besides, they are provided
outboard motors on hire purchase to fishermen. The improvement and corrective action also
taken to the problem of waste management and drainage. Those are purchasing 5 tractor
trailers for waste disposal. More waste bins and equipments will be provided in the area of
Elmina so that littering activities will be eliminated. The Elmina Beach Care Team is to be
set up. All open drains will be covered to eliminate the problem of stuck water. Besides,
awareness programmes will be conducted at educational institute. On the other hand, the
important factors to overcome problems mentioned above are wide community participation,
high level of awareness and greater responsibility from everyone in Elmina and even in the
country of Ghana too. Various stakeholders and Community leaders such as assembly
members, chiefs, urban councillors and church leaders are periodically mobilised to share
views on major decisions. Majority of the people got to know of the programme, thereby
arousing their interest. In conclusion, Elmina has historic assets and a number of strengths
and opportunities that can be utilised to enhance local economic development. Empowering
and participation of local and other partners in identifying and implementing the local
development strategies have culminated in improved local economy. Local participation is
the most important thing. Without them sustainable strategy cannot be achieved. They are the
one who really have good knowledge about the local heritage. Collective vision and
ownership of the process had been ensured by this participation which is vital for sustainable
development.