Abstract:
ABSTRACT
This thesis estimates a value of Kakum National Park’s recreation. Economic
analysis employed by this thesis can contribute to effective management of
these conservation area (Kakum National Park) and is critical to influencing
resource policy decisions. There is report on the degradation and destruction of
some ecotourism site in Ghana. The study use Contingent Valuation method to
estimate the value of this park. Statistics used in data analysis were percentage,
mean, standard deviation, dominance analysis and logistic regression analysis.
These respondents (Visitors) were systematically selected for the study. Results of
the study shows that age (P < 0.001), gender (P< 0.001), income (P< 0.05), marital
status (P< 0.05), educational level and locational (P< 0.05) are key socioeconomic
variables significantly influence visitor’s willingness to pay for the entrance fees.
Moreover, improvement in social amenities such as walking tracks (P < 0.05),
lavatory (P < 0.001), information signs (P<0.01), accommodation (P < 0.001) and
condition of the road (P < 0.00) will increase the recreational value of the park. The
Kakum Park recreational value was estimated as GHS 221,050.60 (approximately
US$ 38,046.57) and the Consumer Surplus as GHS 6865.00 (US$ 1181.58).
The study recommends that there should be more advertisement of the park to
attract more visitors, provide more facilities of the park and provide public
education to the public on the importance of recreation and improve social
amenities which include road network, packing space, lavatory and others. The
study recommends that Park entrance fee of GH 2.00 be maintained, which should
be utilized for park management
