A safety and security audit of the Kakum National Park: observed reality versus managerial perspectives

Although Safety and Security (SnS) is a popular theme in the existing literature, the narrative has mostly focused on the broader destination and relatively, little is known of the SnS situation at the level of the individual components. This paper sought to appraise the safety and security situation at Ghana’s most visited attraction- the Kakum National Park, using a heuristic adaptation of the World Tourism Organization’s safety and security checklist. Through observations and interviews with management, an assessment of the safety and security situation at KNP was undertaken. It was found that even though safety and security measures at the park are generally inadequate, management does not consider the park to be under any real threat. The study also found that the Park management had a deliberative assessment of the security situation which reflected in three mindsets of collective security, passiveness and cautious security. The study recommends a change in philosophical outlook from passiveness to proactivity as an important first step towards making the KNP safer. Along with this philosophy, change would be the specific interventions in the areas of documentation, equipment and training

The Impact of Fee and Liability Waivers on Patronage of Rattray Park in Ghana

The study assessed the relationship between fee and liability waivers introduced at Rattray Park vis-a-vis its patronage by low income earners within the Kumasi Metropolis. Barriers to park use as well as safety awareness were also analysed. The research design adopted as a guide was the survey study method. In all, 141 revellers were contacted through questionnaire administration within a 3-day period during the programme. Indepth Interview (IDI) schedules were also conducted with key stakeholders who were incharge of organising the waiver programmes. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS while qualitative data were manually transcribed. The study revealed that low income earners took advantage of the waiver programmes (attested by 44% of respondents) with p-value of 0.034 to make use of the park. Similarly, about 70% of respondents consideredinability to afford the cost of entry tickets a factor which hindered their recreational use of the park. The fee waiver concept was noted in the study as well-intended and a strategic recommendation suggested by park-goers signaled the need for boosting recreational activities in the park to engage visitors all day long for a richer experience. Keywords: Fee Waivers, Liability Waivers, Revellers, Rattray Park, Low Income Earner

Travel Philanthropy in the LarabangaMognori Tourist Enclave in Northern Ghana

Travel philanthropy is a growing phenomenon within the Larabanga-Mognori enclave in northern Ghana. This article seeks to assess the impacts of such visitor largess on community needs and development. Purposive sampling techniques were employed in selecting some respondents namely tour guides (in Larabanga) and cultural dancers (in Mognori) using focus group discussions (FGD) as a tool in eliciting data. A number of household heads were reached in both communities for their responses through in-depth interview (IDI) schedules. Data sourced which were mainly qualitatively was analysed in thematic frames. The study revealed that through visitor largess, amenities like boreholes and schools had been provided both communities. Other basic needs such as clothes, shoes, stationery and backpacks for school going children were also donated by tourists in both communities whilst instances of cash donations to some individuals were also reported. Both communities benefited from a donation of school blocks from visitors. The study concludes that adherence to personal hygiene and sanitation practices implied an improvement in living standards afforded through their encounter with tourists. Community members and elders are encouraged to put documented measures in place so that visitor philanthropy can be accounted for and be rmly rooted in the communities.Keywords: Travel Philanthropy, Largess, Donations, Tourism, Knowledge Transfe