Community-based Ecotourism Potential: A Case Study of Sankana Slave Caves in Nadowli-Kaleo District of Upper West Region, Ghana

A major feature of the Upper West Region is its ancient caves. The caves found in Sankana, Bulenga and Dahili, were places of refuge for the inhabitants who were fleeing the slave raiders. Slave Camps can be found at Pizaga and Dolbizon and Slave market at Kassana and Salaga in the Upper East and Savannah Regions respectively. The study explored on the potential, strategies as well as effects of developing the Sankana Slave Caves as an ecotourism destination in light of the main pillars of sustainable development (economic, social/cultural, and environmental). The study adopted a mixed method approach. Questionnaires and FGD guides were employed to solicit views from participants. The study revealed that, the community members fully embraced the idea of ecotourism development in the community with emphasis that the slave caves development would serve as tool for poverty alleviation and livelihood enhancement through income generation related activities. Also, there would be an increase in tourists spending due to the direct sell of pottery, calabash art, wood, grass art, leather art, smock weaving, guest homes, food vending as well increase the cultural capital of the community. A three-prong strategy modelled on educative and, entertainment approach, and the use of tour operators were identified as strategies to attract tourists to the site. This study has made contributions to how community ecotourism development can be used as a strategic tool for poverty alleviation as in the case of Sankana slave caves in the Kaleo-Nadowli district in the Upper West Region.