Amoo-Bediako, John

English

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Critical Tourism Studies Proceedings
Volume 2019 Article 87
2019
Endogenous/ Exogenous Knowledge
Collaboration: The Only Way to Avoid an
Anthropocene Meltdown
John Amoo-Bediako
University of Derby, UK
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Recommended Citation
Amoo-Bediako, John (2019) "Endogenous/ Exogenous Knowledge Collaboration: The Only Way to Avoid an Anthropocene
Meltdown," Critical Tourism Studies Proceedings: Vol. 2019 , Article 87.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.library.tru.ca/cts-proceedings/vol2019/iss1/87
CTS 2019 
Presentations 
A 
Title: Endogenous/ Exogenous Knowledge Collaboration: The Only Way to Avoid an 
Anthropocene Meltdown 
 
Author: 
 
John Amoo-Bediako 
University of Derby, UK 
 
Abstract:  
This Akan indigenous subaltern research bricoleur calls for the current tourism and 
hospitality education curriculum to take on a new dimension for the Akans of Ghana.  The 
researcher argues that the current tourism and hospitality curriculum in the Akan land of Ghana 
has symptoms of pathological divides which inhibit individual learning, institutional capacity 
building, industry development and ultimately socio- and economic well-being of the Akans of 
Ghana.  Denzin (2017), argues that in this Anthropocene era there is overwhelming evidence that 
human activities are destabilising the atmosphere, geological system, hydrologic system, 
biosphere and the ecosystem in general (Scharmer, 2013; Haraway, 2016 Haraway, et al., 2016, 
Altvater, et al., 2016).   
This researcher argues and agrees with Denzin and Giardina (2018) about the need for 
critical qualitative inquiry to bring about awareness in the public sphere that the growing 
destructive nature between humanity and divinity has never been greater.  The paper will 
exemplify how audit research culture of the capitalist neoliberal discourse marginalises critical 
interpretative inquiries for social and economic cohesion.  It will suggest that it has become 
imperative to create ethical critical research that helps to improve the health and safety of not just 
human beings but the planet as a whole (Bloom, 2009).  Tourism as an industry is being touted 
by the toothless United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) parents of the ‘ugly’ twin 
sisters [the World Bank and IMF] (Harvey, 2006; 2003), as a strategy for poverty reduction or 
alleviation in their 17-point Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) 2030.  However, this paper 
will quantifiably, through empirical scientific statistical data, demonstrate that the majority of the 
world’s populations that live in poverty and abject poverty, as well as the majority of the world’s 
degenerating bio- and ecosystems, are indigenous peoples and in non-western societies 
respectively.  Ironically, indigenous ontologies and epistemologies that have served the peoples 
and places for far longer than the emergent western societies are ignored or considered to 
primitive to even contemplate consultation with regards to co-habitation and co-preservation and 
sustainability.  Denzin (2017) calls for the for heightened interpretative, critical research 
inquiries that impact on the lives of the vast majority of earth’s population that live daily from 
“hand to mouth” as the only source of self-sustenance.  He is adamant that currently there is 
insufficient qualitative critical action for performative inquiry as to the causes of inequalities in 
economies, education, employment, the environment, health, food and water.  The lack of these 
basic amenities are fundamentally the causes of wars, diseases, instability and general national, 
regional and global mayhem.  This paper will use the Akan peoples [clans] of Ghana as a case 
study as to why endogenous led and exogenous assisted tourism education at the tertiary level 
1
Amoo-Bediako: Endogenous/ Exogenous Knowledge Collaboration: The Only Way to Av
Published by Digital Commons @ TRU Library, 2019
CTS 2019 
will eventually lead to the regenesis and renewal of Akan spirituality, piety and self-esteem that 
will contribute to eudemonic self-development and phronesis piousness which are measured in 
terms of individual and community wellbeing, as opposed to how high is your GDP and or GNP.  
Then Akans and others can begin walking together to learn and heal the memory of despair and 
hopelessness so as realise what it means to be walking in a good way and to reconnect with our 
collective divinity.   
  
2
Critical Tourism Studies Proceedings, Vol. 2019 [2019], Art. 87
https://digitalcommons.library.tru.ca/cts-proceedings/vol2019/iss1/87


Endogenous/ Exogenous Knowledge Collaboration: The Only Way to Avoid an Anthropocene Meltdown

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Endogenous/ Exogenous Knowledge Collaboration: The Only Way to Avoid an Anthropocene Meltdown

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