Accessibility and Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Tourism: Perspective of Tourism Workers in the Ashanti region of Ghana

Anthony K Edusei (1), Sussana Mensah Aggrey (2), Eric Badu (3), Maxwel Peprah Opoku (4)
(1) Department of Community Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana,
(2) Centre for Disability Studies, Department of Community Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana,
(3) Centre for Disability Studies, Department of Community Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana,
(4) Centre for Disability Studies, Department of Community Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
https://doi.org/10.5463/dcid.v26i3.431

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Issue
Vol. 26 No. 3 (2015): Autumn 2015
Submitted
September 14, 2020
Published
October 24, 2015
Keywords:
    persons with disabilities, accessibility, participation, environment, tourism
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Abstract

Purpose: Tourism contributes a great deal to the world’s economy. However, persons with disabilities are underrepresented in the industry, particularly in Ghana, due to inaccessible tourism structures and facilities. Accessibility and participation in tourism will enhance social inclusion of persons with disabilities. This study sought to document the nature of access as well as the participation of persons with disabilities in tourism, from the perspective of tourism workers in the Ashanti region of Ghana.

Methods: An exploratory study using qualitative methods was conducted among workers at tourist centres in the Ashanti region of Ghana. A total of 21 participants were involved in the study. A voice-recorded interview was used to collect data from respondents. Results were generated through thematic content analysis to develop themes.

Results: Findings revealed that the participation of persons with disabilities in tourism is limited due to factors such as the inaccessible tourism environment, the nature of transport services and the language barrier. Suggested provisions were canopy walks, accessible banquets, vehicles, and sign language interpreters at various tourism destinations.

Conclusion: Tourism destinations should be made disability friendly through regulations, monitoring and supervision with regard to accessibility, structures and environment.

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Authors

Anthony K Edusei
Department of Community Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Sussana Mensah Aggrey
Centre for Disability Studies, Department of Community Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Eric Badu
Centre for Disability Studies, Department of Community Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Maxwel Peprah Opoku
Centre for Disability Studies, Department of Community Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
abizep4@yahoo.com (Primary Contact)
Author Biographies

Anthony K Edusei, Department of Community Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Dr. Anthony Kwaku Edusei is a senior lecturer and the Head of Department of Community Health. He graduated from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor Degree in Biochemistry and pursued a Master's degree in Applied Human Nutrition at the University of Nairobi. He also has a PhD in Nutrition from University of Ghana and a MPhil degree in Public Health from University of Liverpool, UK. He has vast experience in supervision of research conducted by undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Sussana Mensah Aggrey, Centre for Disability Studies, Department of Community Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Sussan Aggrey Mensah obtained her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and has proceeded to pursue a MSc. degree in Disability, Rehabilitation and Development

Eric Badu, Centre for Disability Studies, Department of Community Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Eric Badu is a Ghanaian, with interest in disability and health research, human rights, capacity building and statistical data analysis. He has over 2 years’ of experience in teaching and consulting on disability and health research, community development practice, empowerment and capacity building. He holds a masters degree in Disability, Rehabilitation and Development. Since 2013, he has worked as Graduate Assistant at the Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation Studies. He has also worked as a Teaching Assistant in the Department of Modern Languages, Faculty of Social Sciences, KNUST from 2011-2012.

Maxwel Peprah Opoku, Centre for Disability Studies, Department of Community Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Maxwell Peprah Opoku is a Ghanaian who has two degrees in Political Science and Disability, Rehabilitation and Development from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He has worked as a Teaching and Research Assistant, and as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the Centre of Disability Studies, Department of Community Health. His areas of specialty are disability, special education, community based rehabilitation, inclusive education, health research, management of natural resources, human rights, social policies and public policy.

1.
Edusei AK, Aggrey SM, Badu E, Opoku MP. Accessibility and Participation of Persons with Disabilities in Tourism: Perspective of Tourism Workers in the Ashanti region of Ghana. DCIDJ [Internet]. 2015 Oct. 24 [cited 2025 Mar. 14];26(3):97-110. Available from: https://dcidj.uog.edu.et/index.php/up-j-dcbrid/article/view/196
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