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The following are a list of threats identified during field research. This is not a complete list of likely risks, but measures should be taken to prevent the following problems:

• Dumping rubbish into the river.

• Using nontraditional material for construction (such as roofing sheets).

• Large-scale tourist visits.

• Constructing brick house(s) (which distort the authenticity of the heritage community and creates a gap in the indigenous construction knowledge).

If the above proposed suggestions can be implemented, I believe heritage conservation, preservation, and managing Nzulezo will be harmonized with each other A more integrated and socially mindful approach will also enable the local population to better interpret heritage tourism and one that suits the living heritage of the community.

5.3 Impact of tourism and local management

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Indigenous communities represent culturally distinct groups whose language traditions and social institutions help them withstand and integrate incoming impacts from other cultures into their region.⁶⁰ However, indigenous people in many countries are politically, socially and economically disregarded by government administrations. This communication gap is evident when mostly their opinions about tourism development of their heritage are not sought.⁶¹

Nzulezo, like any other heritage site, has seen a fair share of issues arising from tourism visits.

Since the community gained international recognition in 2000, there has been a massive influx of both national and international tourists. It has impacted most aspects of community life including:

60 Tourism Concern, “Indigenous People and Tourism -,” September 14, 2014, https://www.tourismconcern.org.uk/indigenous-people-and-tourism/.

61 “Indigenous People and Tourism -.”

Figure 10: Damaged connecting bridge caused by large numbers of tourist visits. (Photo by author. July 2017)

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5.3.2 Economic impact

In Ghana, tourism is the third foreign exchange earner for the national economy. The revenue from tourism is gained through licensing fees from tourist enterprises, tax from businesses and individuals working within the sector.

Direct benefits to the Nzulezo community come in the form of donations offered by tourists (both local and international), fees charged during history tours conducted by the public relations officer who represents the Nzulezo community and the youth who serve as tour guides for visitors.

5.3.3 Socio-Cultural impacts

Exposure to other cultures within the Nzulezo cultural space has meant that young people sometimes pick up rude and culturally unacceptable behaviors such as resistance to authority and disrespecting parents and the elderly. These behaviors are connected to the income they can earn which makes them independent and arrogant since they earn more than their parents.

Habitual drinking and at times smoking has also been observed among some of the youth.

Additionally, begging tourists for money is also practiced now in the community.

Contact with the diverse visitors and their different way of dressing influences the community.

Traditional and locally dress can hardly be seen now. Men who used to put on traditional clothes during special festivals now prefer T-shirts and shorts. Likewise, women who used to wear long skirts prefer jeans instead. Formerly, such styles of dress were not encouraged due to the body parts which are exposed, especially in the case of women. I acknowledge that modern clothing style is cheaper, easier to maintain and comfortable. Such clothing helps young people feel connected to the youth culture in urban areas. But this feeling of wanting to associate with that growing culture is fast erasing the importance of their traditional way of

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dressing. The question is how to find a good balance with protecting traditions and the cultural change that is natural in any living community exposed to outside cultural influence.

5.3.4 Environmental impacts

The Nzulezo cultural space has been interfered with by some people from outside their community who have put up structures of their own. Amazingly, these foreigners have isolated their structures about 600 meters from the main village. This attitude gradually erodes the value of the Nzulezo cultural space and community life.

Many visitors arriving on the weekends and holidays puts pressure on the community and its immediate environment. Tourist numbers can reach as high as about 1000 visitors a day during some holidays, meanwhile; the total population of the local inhabitants is a little over 400 individuals. The community already faces issues of waste sanitation as rubbish and sewage are dumped directly into the water in the hope it will just float away.

5.3.5 Impact on the construction and structures

Modernization, tourism and globalization have exposed and influenced the construction of vernacular structures by incorporating new trends in building materials and style. Most people who own structures prefer to use nails, roofing sheets, paints, and dressed woods among other materials to ensure the structure will be firm and steady (Interview with Mr Akpor). This change in building materials is directly connected to increasing number of visitors who weakens the structures through over use. An anonymous experienced builder revealed that the use of this material shortly began after Nzulezo was inscribed into the tentative list of the World Heritage List of UNESCO. Surprisingly, investigation during my fieldwork reveals that

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provision for tourism was made some years before Nzulezo was inscribed on the World Heritage Tentative list.⁶² It means that tourism boomed after it gained World recognition.