Tourism-induced natural resource conflict: The case of Kakum National Park, Ghana

Abstract

Kakum National Park is a flagship ecosystem in Ghana, designated as a tourism destination of international repute. Tourism serves as an essential economic industry that promotes economic expansion, cross-cultural communication, and international collaboration. Nevertheless, the interaction of several elements frequently results in disputes in the communities around natural reserves, defining the relationship between tourism and natural resources. Situated on the edge of these reserves, local communities are both a source of benefits and conflict in the tourism-natural resource dynamic. This research investigates the natural resource-induced conflict, focusing on the nature, causes and actors of the conflict. The study used a qualitative approach and adopted an interpretive analysis of participants' experiences, underpinned by the frustration-aggression and relative deprivation theories. The findings described the tourism-induced conflict as latent, nonviolent, and issue-based, but laden with underlying structural tensions. The study discovered that power dynamics, perceived lack of transparency, lack of participation, unfulfilled promises, perceived deprivation of livelihood, and uneven distribution of resources acted together and differently to create conflict among the stakeholders. The actors of conflict were categorised into individuals, groups and institutional actors, comprising farmers, landowners, community members, youth, Ghana Heritage Conservation Trust (GHCT), Community Advisory Committee (CAC), the district assembly, forestry commission, traditional authority and rangers. These actors shared unique and differing interests, positions, and needs that fueled the protracted conflict. The study recommends fair resource distribution and conflict resolution mechanisms to address the complex dynamics critical to the tourist industry.