From participation to stewardship: stakeholder analysis and roles in a community-based resource management project

Abstrak

Ecotourism has emerged as one of the surest approaches to harmonizing biodiversity conservation with rural livelihood enhancement. The Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary (WCHS) is touted as the model example of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) with a myriad of stakeholders; chiefs community members, NGO, government agencies, and other development partners playing vital roles. This study employed Reed et al.’s (2009) stakeholder analysis framework to delineate eco-social, discuss stakeholder roles, and synthesize lessons for improved governance. The study conducted an in-depth interview with 23 purposively sampled participants from six sanctuary communities, including chiefs, members of the sanctuary management board (SMB), tour guides, rangers, and development partners, and undertook a narrative analysis. The findings revealed that primary stakeholders (chiefs and elders, and local community members) serve as custodians of the ecotourism project; the sanctuary management board and sanctuary management committees run the day-to-day operations; while secondary stakeholders comprising NGOs and other development partners make financial and technical commitments to the project. The study revealed notable benefits, including conservation and the provision of alternative livelihoods for the people. Despite these notable achievements, sustainability is threatened by issues such as role ambiguity, unequal benefit-sharing, and donor dependence, even amid noteworthy advancements in conservation and livelihood creation. To develop community-based ecotourism governance, the article concludes that clarity of roles, equitable participation, and capacity building are essential. It also provides insights for replicating similar models in Ghana and across Africa.