Abstract:
The impact of special events on host communities has been well documented.
Relatively few studies have examined the effects of local events on host
communities, especially in Ghana. The purpose of this thesis was to
investigate residents’ perception of the effects of two local events, precisely
Oguaa Fetu Afahye and PANAFEST events in Cape Coast. Primary source of
data was employed during the fieldwork, which was undertaken between
December, 2017 and January, 2018. Data was gathered by the use of
questionnaires, focus-group guides and an interview guide. Frequencies,
percentages and cross-tabulations were used to analyse data from
questionnaire, whereas the focus-group and interview guides were transcribed,
categorized and analysed manually based on emerged themes. The findings of
the study suggest that residents are more involved in the activities of Oguaa
Fetu Afahye event than PANAFEST. The difference in participation for both
events was attributed to less publicity made prior to and during the
PANAFEST event. The results also indicated that residents derived more
personal than communal benefits. It was revealed also that the economic
proceeds derived from both events are insufficient and/or not used for
community projects; hence, residents who were economically involved in the
events were those who derived both economic and socio-cultural benefits.
Lastly, the study recommends that events’ committee ensures that goals and
objectives set for each event are appropriately budgeted for and monitored,
until achieved so as to benefit the individual residents and the community at
large.
