ECOTOURISM IMPACT ON RURAL LIVELIHOODS: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE WECHIAU COMMUNITY HIPPO SANCTUARY RESERVE IN THE WA WEST DISTRICT OF THE UPPER WEST REGION.

Ecotourism has been envisaged not only as an alternative to mass tourism, but also as a livelihood diversification strategy for rural people. Researchers have presented mixed arguments regarding the relationship between CBEP’s and rural livelihoods. It is highly difficult for one therefore to emphatically state that CBEP’s enhances rural livelihood. This study therefore set out to examine the link between rural livelihoods by conducting an in-depth assessment of the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary Reserve. Specifically, the study looked at the livelihood activities that are connected to ecotourism development in the study area, how these livelihood options contributes to sustainable livelihoods, the socio- cultural and economic impacts of tourism on local livelihoods as well as stakeholder analysis pertaining their roles in ecotourism management projects. Community- Based Ecotourism Projects premises on economic, social and environmental impacts with critical emphasis on sustainability. The research employed a cross sectional design with a mixed research approach. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 214 respondents in Kpanfa, Pellinkpari, Dochere, Dornye, Talawona and Tuole. Series of in-depth interviews were also carried out using interview guides and field observation. The study found that ecotourism has a positive economic, social and environmental impact on residents and the area at large. However, the positive relationship was not significant. There was also an issue with benefits sharing as resources were not equitable distributed among beneficiary communities. There is also an issue of inequitable distribution of project benefits due to the lack of a substantive benefit sharing scheme. It was concluded that the project has the potential of producing ecotourism benefits but if not properly managed, could lead to unequal distribution of project benefits and hence perpetuate poverty. This led to a recommendation for the Sanctuary Management Board (SMB) to develop a “Benefit Sharing Framework” which will promote equity and project sustainability.