Capacity Building in Cultural and Traditional Craft Enterprises for Ecotourism Development in the Sekyere Kumawu District of Ghana

Abstract

The study was aimed at developing the capacities of the local people in selected agricultural societies in the Sekyere-Kumawu district in the Ashanti Region of Ghana in cultural and traditional craft enterprises. The study utilized the embedded mixed methods design with phenomenology as the research design. The study involved 116 participants consisting of park officers, traditional leaders, elders in the traditional cabinet, elderly men and women as well as the youth in Kumawu, Bodomase, Yiribotiri, and Dagomba. The capacities of the study participants were developed in textiles, leatherwork, traditional culinary practices, and cultural services. Moreover the development of cultural museums as tourism centers at four locations: A wildlife sanctuary, historical battle grounds, a royal mausoleum, and an ancient sacred tree were recommended. The findings revealed that the capacity building in cultural and traditional craft enterprises was beneficial in helping the local people in gaining employment, promoting the cultural heritage of the communities, and encouraging them to support ecotourism development at the Bomfobiri wildlife sanctuary. The study tasks the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and the Forestry Commission to pay attention to sponsor initiatives in cultural and traditional crafts to offer employable skills to residents and enhance the experiences of tourists who visit the protected areas in Ghana.