Assessing community participation in selected ecotourism projects in the Brong-Ahafo Region, Ghana

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent of community participation in selected Community-Based Ecotourism Projects in the Brong-Ahafo Region. The sample for the study was 281 respondents including 14 opinion leaders. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. The findings showed that residents were involved in the decision-making, implementation and monitoring of the Community-Based Ecotourism Projects. In general, socio-demographic characteristics of residents in the projects did not significantly have impact on community participation. Barriers to community participation in the projects were religious beliefs, lack of government support, funds, appropriate knowledge of tourism and lack of co-operation by some residents. It was recommended that the government through the rural banks in the area should initiate a special tourism related micro-finance scheme for the communities. Additionally, the government should support the local communities by improving infrastructure and provide enough security to the projects in the region.   Key words: Community participation, tourism development, residents, Brong-Ahafo Region.