Capacity Building for a Socially Responsible Cultural Heritage Tourism Development.

Abstract

Cultural heritage tourism was the tool used by the government and developmental agencies for sustainable economic development and ultimately poverty reduction/alleviation and preservation of the cultural heritage in Elmina and Cape Coast, Ghana, Africa. The two castles and the fortress, - the Elmina or St Georges’ Castle, Fort St Jago (Elmina), and the Cape Coast or Carolsburg Castle (Cape Cost) - left by colonialism during the 400 year transatlantic slave trade were the focus of both cultural preservation and economic development through tourism. However, more than fifteen years later the economy does not seem to have been uplifted, benefits accrued from the tourism activity are distributed unequally and the sites are not properly preserved. A participatory approach to research indicated that was mainly due to, lack of [Corporate (Social Responsibility)] [C (SR)] identified among others in community exclusion in decision making; lack of business expertise; lack of promotion/marketing; lack of access to credit; lack of cooperation between stakeholders; weak institutions that are unable to be socially responsible and accountable to the local communities; and an inability to form partnerships and networks. Evidence suggests that the present situation might be reversed should the governmental and developmental institutions’ exercise [C (SR)] in the form of Capacity Building at four levels: social, human, physical and financial.