Resettlement Programme Implementation: The Effect on Livelihoods of People in Mining Communities in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, Ghana

Research affirms the assertion that mining-induced displacement and resettlement (MIDR) impoverishes livelihoods.  Particular of such impoverishments include; landlessness, joblessness, and social disarticulation. This thus threatens the sustainable and human-centered development the world seeks to attain. However, policy documents and researchers such as the World Bank’s Involuntary Resettlement Sourcebook (2004) and Sonnenberg and Münster (2001) propose the preparation of resettlement programmes as an intervention for the mitigation of the adverse effects of resettlement. Despite the introduction of resettlement programmes, relocation and resettlement continues to impoverish the livelihoods of affected population. This paper assesses the extent to which resettlement programmes have affected livelihoods of people in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality. The paper first identifies some models and theories that underpin the preparation of resettlement programmes. It then proceeds to assess the effect of resettlement programme on livelihoods of affected households. Thirdly, it identifies the effect on societal ties. Fourtly, the paper identifies the challenges of an effective resettlement programme implementation. Lastly, the study makes plausible recommendations and way forward for an effective resettlement programme implementation. The study thus concludes that for the extractive industry to be beneficial to both the national and local economies there should be commitment to implementation strategies of resettlement programmes. Control measures should be put in place to manage all participation challenges of resettlement programmes. In this way, the primary aim of resettlement programmes would be achieved without blemish. Keywords: Mining-Induced Displacement and Resettlement (MIDR), Resettlement Programme, Impoverishment, Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality, Affected Household

Contribution of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector to the Development of Local Communities in the Hohoe Municipality, Ghana.

Tourism is now one of the world’s largest industries and one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world. Its high growth and development rates, considerable volumes of foreign currency inflows actively affect various sectors of economy, which positively contributes to the development of own tourist industry. Many researchers have asserted that, all tourism indicators show a consistent trend of growth in terms of contribution to GDP, foreign exchange earnings etc. In view of its potential, the government of Ghana over the years has instituted measures to salvage the industry from possible collapse. However, the performance of the sector is constrained by a number of factors in view of the fact harnessing potentials of the industry to become the leading foreign exchange earner in Ghana has not been fully realised.   The paper investigated the contributions of the tourism industry to the growth and development of the Hohoe Municipality which is a host to most of the vibrant tourist attractions in the Volta Region. To achieve the objectives of the study, primary data was collected from three communities with tourist attractions in the Municipality (i.e. Tafi Atome monkey sanctuary; Mt. Afadjato and Tagbo falls, Liati Wote; and Wli falls).   The study revealed that, the municipality received GH¢122,877.90 in 2008 as tourism revenue with an average annual growth rate of 162.2 % per annum. However, in 2011, the figure reduced to GH¢18,122.5 due to lack of marketing and promotion as well as institutional bottlenecks. The paper recommends capacity building for the local communities as well as including tourism marketing and promotion, private sector participation in building a vibrant and diverse tourism in the Municipality and Ghana in general. Key words: Development, growth, Tourism Marketing, Arrivals, MDG