By Ruth Adjorlolo, a Journalist
Cape Coast, a city steeped in history and culture, is facing a crisis that threatens to undermine its reputation as the premier tourist destination of Ghana. The historic Castle area, once a beacon of Ghana’s rich heritage, is now being overrun by aggressive young beggars, leaving visitors feeling harassed, embarrassed and unsafe.
This phenomenon is not just a nuisance, but a symptom of a deeper problem, thus, the neglect and trauma faced by many young children in Cape Coast. The Metropolitan authorities’ failure to address many issues confronting the youth has led to a manifestation of desperation and aggression among the youth. Teenage pregnancy and parental neglect are also significant contributors to this problem. Many young girls are forced into early motherhood, leading to a cycle of poverty and desperation. The absence of parental guidance and support exacerbates the situation, leaving these young people vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
As the tourism industry continues to grow, it is imperative that measures are taken to protect visitors and ensure their safety. Informing tourists about the situation and implementing effective security measures is crucial to maintaining Cape Coast’s reputation as a preferred tourism destination.
The Ghana Tourism Authority must take proactive steps to address this issue. Collaborating with local authorities to increase security presence in the Castle area, supporting initiatives that address child neglect, teenage pregnancy and parental neglect, developing targeted campaigns to promote responsible tourism practices and engaging with local stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions will help a lot in solving the problems.
By taking these steps, the Ghana Tourism Authority can help restore Cape Coast’s Castle area to its former glory, provide a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors, while also supporting the local community. As it is now, the situation raises questions about the allocation of funds generated from tourism and the priorities of local authorities. With the “Year of Return” initiative aimed at attracting more tourists to Ghana, it is essential that the Cape Coast Castle area and all castles, forts and monuments are restored to their former glories.
The irony is not lost on residents and tourists alike, as a city that was once a symbol of hope and freedom for enslaved Africans, is now struggling to protect its visitors from the very people it should be empowering. It is time for decisive actions to address the root causes of these problems and ensure that the Cape Coast Castle area remains a place of pride and wonder for generations to come.
Taking these steps will make Cape Coast reclaim its reputation as a premier tourist destination and ensure a bright future for residents and visitors alike. Since tourism has many influences on other aspects of our socio-economic lives, taking urgent steps to handle any unpleasant situation will boost the tourism sector, by attracting tourists and growing the economy.
Stakeholders in the tourism sector must act swiftly, fast and decisively. Government must be supportive of the youth in acquiring the needed skills and be self employed, in order to avoid engaging in acts such as begging, that puts the name and image of Ghana into disrepute.
