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University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh UNIVERSITY OF GHANA DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHYAND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT ASSESSING THE VULNERABILITY OF COASTAL TOURISM TO SEA EROSION- THE CASE OF ADA EAST DISTRICT BY ODIKRO GODWIN (10246076) THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MPHIL GEOGRAPHY DEGREE. JULY, 2014 i University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION I, Odikro Godwin, declare that this research and its entire contents represent my own work. I remain answerable to every question pertaining to this work and duely acknowledged all secondary sources in the list of references. No part whatsoever has been presented to any other Institution for the award of degree. ODIKRO GODWIN ID. NUMBER: 10246076 SIGNATURE…………………………... DATE…………………………………… SUPERVISORS PROF. ALEX B. ASIEDU DR. AWERE K. GYEKYE (Principal Supervisor) (Co-Supervisor) Signature.................................... ............................................... Date............................................. ............................................... i University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION To my lovely family that has remained my strength and support throughout the entire duration of the study. My father, Mr. T.N.K Odikro, Mother, Mrs. Mary Yaa Odikro, brother Franklin Odikro and Sisters Agatha Odikro and Magdalene Odikro. ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I wish to thank God almighty for his protection and guidance throughout my journey in completing this course. My supervisors, Prof. Alex B. Asiedu and Dr. Awere K. Gyekye, deserve special commendation for their unflinching support throughout the study for their patience, criticisms and directives in ensuring that the outcome of the work is of good quality. Again, I will like to acknowledge the immense contribution of Mr. John M. Kusimi in availing himself, for his directives and clarifications on the Remote Sensing and GIS aspect of this work. A number of institutions that have given me support on the field to have access to all the field data‗s collected for the study deserve acknowledgement. The list includes the Ada East District Assembly, the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission in Ada, National Disaster Management Organisation (Ada), The Ada Tourism Stakeholders Association, and Hospitality Industry in Ada, Chief of Azizanya, Assemblymen and all communities visited. Some individuals also deserve special appreciation including Mr. Awal (Head of Planning Dept. AEDA), Mr. Evans (Registry of AEDA) Mr. Agyeman Dickson (Park Manager of the Songor Ramsar site in Ada) and Mr. David (Secretary to ATSA and CEO of Ada Tourism Services). Further, I wish to appreciate the financial support given by the PERI-PERI U together with USAID towards the completion of this study. Finally, I wish to acknowledge the field support given me during data collection by Timothy Havor of Geography Department, University of Ghana and Bright and Cephas at Ada. To all friends who stood by me throughout this journey for the motivation and supports, God bless you all. iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS AEDA Ada East District Assembly ATSA Ada Tourism Stakeholders Association AVDEAMC Ada Volta Delta Anyanui Estuary Mangrove Complex CBNRM Community Based Natural Resource Management COAST project Collaborative Actions for Sustainable Tourism CVI Coastal Vulnerability Index DSAS Digital Shoreline Analysis system DSF Destination Sustainability Framework EPR End Point Rate of Erosion EWS Early Warning System GDP Gross Domestic Product GIS Geographic Information Systems GSS Ghana Statistical Service IDMC International Dredging and Marine Consultants MoWH Ministry of Works and Housing MoWRWH Ministry of Water Resource, Works and Housing NADMO National Disaster Management Organization NSM Net Shoreline Movement PWD Public Works Department RS Remote Sensing SDP Sea Defence Project SLF Sustainable Livelihood Framework UNWTO United Nations World Tourism Organization iv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ABSTRACT Coastal erosion along the coast of Ada East District has caused severe damage to life and property worth millions of Ghana cedis over the last seven decades. The study sought to understand the underlying factors that contribute to the vulnerability of the tourism industry to sea erosion and also to find out the level of development of the tourism industry and its effects on the livelihood of the host communities. The study used a mixed method strategy that aided the gathering of quantitative and qualitative data. The digital shoreline analysis system (DSAS v.4.2) and the coastal vulnerability index (CVI) were used to establish the net shoreline movement (NSM) and the end point rate of erosion (EPR). Additionally, 180 questionnaires were administered to 3 selected host communities, 20 questionnaires to tourists and 19 interviews conducted with various tourism stakeholders. The results from the study showed that the coastline of Ada East District generally continues to erode at a rate of 4.34 m/year with some sections witnessing deposition at a rate of 7.13 m/year with the central and eastern sections of the coast being the most vulnerable to sea erosion. Furthermore, the tourism industry, infrastructures and livelihood activities remain the most vulnerable to sea erosion due mainly to their physical locations and the generally poor coastline characteristics. The study recommended a collaborative coconut tree restoration project and mangrove restoration and protection strategies along the coast to complement the sea defence project aimed at reducing vulnerabilities to coastal erosion. Further, stakeholder involvement in tourism must be better organized to increase the industry‘s contribution to livelihood enhancement and economic development. v University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh Table of Contents DECLARATION ................................................................................................................. i DEDICATION ................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ................................................................................................. iii LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................... iv ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... v CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................. 1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 1 1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Problem Statement .................................................................................................... 7 1.2 Research Questions ................................................................................................. 10 1.3 Aim and Objectives ................................................................................................. 10 1.4 Propositions ............................................................................................................. 11 1.5 Significance of the Study ........................................................................................ 11 1.6 Arrangement of the Study ....................................................................................... 12 1.7 Summary ................................................................................................................. 13 CHAPTER TWO .............................................................................................................. 14 LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................................. 14 2.0 Understanding Tourism as a Livelihood Option ..................................................... 14 2.1 The Concept of Vulnerability ................................................................................. 19 2.2 Coastal Tourism and Its Challenges ........................................................................ 23 2.3 General Coastal Characteristics in Ghana ............................................................... 26 2.4 The Eastern Coast of Ghana .................................................................................... 27 2.5 Factors Influencing Erosion along the Ada Coast .................................................. 28 2.5.1 Wave and Wind Energy Systems Influencing the Coast of Ada ..................... 28 vi University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2.5.2 Geology and Topography of the Ada Coast ..................................................... 29 2.5.3 Sea Level Rise .................................................................................................. 30 2.5.4 The Construction of the Akosombo Dam and Tema Harbour ......................... 30 2.5.5 Sand Winning ................................................................................................... 31 2.5.6 Growth in Population and Modifications to Biodiversity and Ecosystems .... 32 2.6 Destination Sustainability Framework .................................................................... 33 2.6.1 Sustainability Vulnerability Framework .........................................................