Cultural tourism and socio-economic regeneration of rural communities: the Apo festival of Bono Takyiman, Ghana

ABSTRACT

Tourism has been part of humankind since time immemorial. People visit destinations for educational, religious, medical or entertainment purposes. Tourism includes short-term travel of people to destinations outside their communities. It is an important income generation and source of employment in many countries. In many former European colonies, some historical sites and events still attract thousands of visitors who like to get the first-hand information about the past. An important event that attracts thousands of visitors to rural Ghana is cultural tourism. It takes place when people visit specific destinations to attend, observe, learn or enjoy cultural events of an ethnic group. Ghana is endowed with a variety of festivals which attract local and foreign visitors. This study investigated the socio-economic impact of the annual Apo festival of Bono Takyiman. This qualitative-ethnographic research employed interviews and participant observation in the investigation. The study found that the Apo festival as a cultural tourism has a positive impact on the socio-economic development of the Bono Takyiman Municipality. In view of its positive impact on communities, the paper recommended to the local authorities to make the product more attractive for cultural tourism to contribute to the socio-economic regeneration of the countryside.

KEYWORDS:

• Socio-economic
• culture
• tourism
• regeneration
• attraction
• identity

Disclosure statement

This research project was undertaken through the researcher’s own resources. The study was not funded by any organization and it has no financial benefit or conflict of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kofi Poku Quan-Baffour

Kofi Poku Quan-Baffour is a Professor at UNISA’s Department of Adult Education. He was organiser of adult education programmes at the University of Ghana’s Institute of Adult Education from 1986-88. In 1988 he lectured at the Institute of Extra-Mural Studies at the University of Lesotho. He joined the University of South Africa in 2002 as a Curriculum Designer before joining academia in 2006. In 2008 he was given the responsibility to transform the Institute of Adult Basic Education into a full academic department. He chaired the new department till February 2019 and currently coordinates the ACET Capacity Building Project sponsored by the Department of Higher Education. His research interests are in adult education, teacher education and indigenous knowledge systems. Kofi is the author of over 50 research articles in peer-reviewed journals, one joint book and seven book chapters. He has supervised to completion over 16 Masters and PhDs since 2004. Kofi has participated in several national and international academic forums and made over 40 presentations. He is a member of one local and two international academic and research associations and an external examiner for five Universities. He holds a D.Ed., three Masters Degrees and has three children.