Local Government And Sustainable Tourism Development In Ghana: A Case Study Of Accra Metropolitan Assembly

ABSTRACT The study examines the role of local government in sustainable tourism development in Ghana. A qualitative research method was used to collect data from officials of Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), and Ghana Tourism Federation (GHATOF). A Role Theory was adopted as a theoretical framework based on the objectives of the study. The study finds that the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has not given adequate attention to sustainable tourism planning and development. As a result, AMA plays a limited role in the areas of tourism promotion and marketing, infrastructural development, public sensitization and awareness, regulation and public participation. The findings suggest that absence of legal framework, conflict between tourism and culture and no political will on the part of the government were the factors that limit AMA to actively plan for local tourism development. The study further discovered that although there exist no formal collaboration between AMA and the private sector operators in the tourism industry, the AMA gives out permits, conducts Environmental Impact Assessment, and enact bye-laws to regulate the activities of private operators. Hence, the Ministry of Tourism and Ghana Tourism Authority is planning for tourism industry in Ghana with local governments such as the AMA playing a limited role. It is recommended that the GTA should facilitate the settingup of local level offices, and empower them to be able to take local level decision towards tourism development. These offices should be well-equipped and staffed with skilled personnel to be able to plan for sustainable tourism development. This would ensure that the tourism sector is mainstreamed into the Medium-Term Development Plan of the AMA.