Richmond Yeboah

Research background: Despite growing environmental concerns and active government promotion, electric vehicle (EV) uptake in sub-Saharan Africa remains notably low, representing a significant gap in the region’s transition towards sustainable mobility. Furthermore, while the global shift towards green transportation continues to accelerate, the specific socio-demographic factors influencing EV adoption among older adults in the region remain substantially under-researched. Purpose of the article: This study aims to investigate the determinants of EV adoption intentions among older adults in sub-Saharan Africa, where EV uptake remains limited despite increasing environmental concerns and government support. Methods: Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behaviour, the study analyses empirical data collected from a sample of 312 registered vehicle owners aged 55 years and older. By examining this specific cohort across three major metropolitan areas in Ghana, the study provides detailed demographic and behavioural insights into a population segment whose perspectives are important for understanding the region’s transition towards green mobility. The research hypotheses were tested using confirmatory factor analysis and covariance-based structural equation modelling. The data were analysed using IBM SPSS Amos. Findings & Value added: The findings identify four key factors that significantly and positively influence behavioural intentions to purchase environmentally friendly vehicles: attitudes and beliefs towards EVs, financial incentives, environmental concern, and uncertainty avoidance. Furthermore, uncertainty avoidance was found to positively moderate the relationships between these factors and behavioural intention, thereby strengthening the effects of attitudes, financial incentives, and environmental concern on purchase decisions. The study highlights the need for targeted and multifaceted strategies to encourage EV adoption among older consumers. Practical implications include fostering positive attitudes towards EVs, designing effective financial incentive programmes, promoting environmental awareness, and developing communication strategies that address risk-related concerns. By focusing on an under-researched demographic in a developing African context, the study provides valuable insights for policymakers and marketers seeking to advance sustainable transportation and reduce the environmental impacts of conventional vehicles in the region.

Cape Coast, Ghana, has substantial heritage, coastal, cultural and educational assets, yet visitor activity remains concentrated at Cape Coast Castle, where recorded visits rose from 101,134 in 2023 to 141,523 in 2025. This study examines how these assets are governed and where the links between them break down. A qualitative, multi-source design combined policy documents, in-depth interviews with 26 tourists, a tourism resource assessment, and an exploratory review of the city's sister cities (Bonn, Little Rock and New Orleans). Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, and draft findings were discussed with 32 stakeholders at a consultative workshop. Eight recurring gaps emerged, including weak institutional coordination, limited visitor services and information, narrow product diversification, and limited community participation. Read through Arnstein's ladder of participation, residents and small businesses appear mainly as consultees rather than shared decision-makers, a pattern termed policy invisibility. The findings are perceptual and non-generalizable, and the sister-city material offers ideas rather than transferable models. A phased, indicative framework aligned with the Eight-Year Development Plan (2026–2033) is proposed, pending baseline measurement. The paper argues that Cape Coast's central task is coordination across institutions and districts rather than adding attractions.

Cape Coast is a prominent tourism destination in Ghana, distinguished by its historical landmarks, coastal ecosystems, and cultural heritage. Yet the city faces mounting threats from environmental hazards such as coastal erosion, flooding, extreme heat, and lagoon degradation, which directly compromise the sustainability of its tourism sector. Guided by the Sustainable Tourism Development Theory (STDT) and the Tourism Resilience and Adaptation Theory (TRAT), this study investigates the impacts of these hazards on tourism development, the effectiveness of current disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies, and the roles of key stakeholders in building sectoral resilience. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through in-depth interviews with eighteen stakeholders comprising four policymakers, six community leaders, five tourism business operators, and three representatives from non-governmental organisations, alongside documentary analysis of four institutional reports. The study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that fragmented, reactive DRR strategies and weak stakeholder coordination undermine Cape Coast’s tourism resilience, and by showing how urban natural assets, a dimension largely neglected in existing tourism–DRR scholarship, are central to both hazard exposure and adaptive capacity. The findings call for integrated, ecosystem-based DRR frameworks that align governance mechanisms with sustainable tourism imperatives.

Cape Coast is a prominent tourism destination in Ghana, distinguished by its historical landmarks, coastal ecosystems, and cultural heritage. Yet the city faces mounting threats from environmental hazards such as coastal erosion, flooding, extreme heat, and lagoon degradation, which directly compromise the sustainability of its tourism sector. Guided by the Sustainable Tourism Development Theory (STDT) and the Tourism Resilience and Adaptation Theory (TRAT), this study investigates the impacts of these hazards on tourism development, the effectiveness of current disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies, and the roles of key stakeholders in building sectoral resilience. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through in-depth interviews with eighteen stakeholders comprising four policymakers, six community leaders, five tourism business operators, and three representatives from non-governmental organisations, alongside documentary analysis of four institutional reports. The study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that fragmented, reactive DRR strategies and weak stakeholder coordination undermine Cape Coast’s tourism resilience, and by showing how urban natural assets, a dimension largely neglected in existing tourism-DRR scholarship, are central to both hazard exposure and adaptive capacity. The findings call for integrated, ecosystem-based DRR frameworks that align governance mechanisms with sustainable tourism imperatives.

On public perception on the activities of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey (MCAG), a group led by the media and other stakeholders to champion action against illegal mining. The campaigns were necessitated by the devastating and life-threatening effect of illegal mining in Ghana, and the urgent need to eradicate it. The agenda-setting theory grounded this study in a positivist research paradigm that surveyed and analyzed data from 347 Ghanaian respondents, using percentages, means, standard deviation and one-way ANOVA to present findings. The study discovered that relevant state agencies and authorities had not shown enough interest and commitment in fighting illegal mining in Ghana. Respondents were of the view that Ghana had failed to provide adequate regulatory and legal frameworks and the required political, religious and traditional leadership to effectively combat the menace. Though the Coalition was effective in using public sensitization, advocacy and visual communication strategies to campaign against illegal mining, it was less effective in employing stakeholder engagement, community mobilization, entertainment education and social marketing techniques. The Coalition is encouraged to continue the campaign by aggressively adopting more socially responsive and rewarding communication strategies in its sensitization activities. Finally, it is recommended that political, religious and traditional leaders at all levels go beyond the rhetoric and set national agendas to effectively confront the menace.

This study examined revenue management practices, their effectiveness in optimizing revenue streams, the impact of emerging technologies, and the challenges faced by hotels in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Through qualitative interviews with ten hotel managers, key insights were uncovered regarding dynamic pricing, inventory control, market segmentation, and targeted promotions. For instance, hotels adjust room rates based on real-time demand, increasing prices during peak seasons and offering discounts in low-demand periods. Targeted promotions, such as corporate travel packages and repeat guest discounts, were also common strategies to enhance customer retention. Despite these strategies, challenges persist, including fluctuating market demand, ensuring rate parity across distribution channels, and internal limitations such as inadequate staff training and resource constraints. Managers reported difficulties in maintaining consistent pricing across online travel agencies (OTAs) and direct booking platforms, which sometimes led to booking leakages and customer dissatisfaction. Additionally, balancing revenue optimization with guest satisfaction remained a key concern. The integration of emerging technologies, such as AI-driven pricing models, predictive analytics, and automated revenue management systems, has provided hotels with a competitive edge. Some hotels have adopted AI-powered forecasting tools to predict demand, enabling optimal pricing decisions, while others utilize automated revenue management software to dynamically adjust inventory distribution. The study recommends that hotels invest in sophisticated revenue management software and advanced analytics tools to improve forecasting accuracy. Continuous staff training in data interpretation, market research, and AI applications should also be prioritized to enhance decision-making and optimize revenue management strategies.

This study investigates how beach development in Cape Coast, Ghana, shapes both local economic outcomes and coastal environmental conditions. Anchored in sustainable tourism development theory, the study evaluates the extent to which tourism-driven coastal transformations balance economic growth, environmental protection, and community benefits. A qualitative exploratory design was used, with purposive sampling applied to select thirty-two respondents, including managers, employees, and city officials. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews complemented by field observations. The findings indicate that beach development has generated meaningful economic benefits, particularly through employment creation and increased demand for local goods and services. Environmentally, several operators have adopted sustainable practices such as replanting coconut trees, introducing energy-efficient lighting, reducing single-use plastics, and integrating natural ventilation into facility design. These efforts have contributed to cleaner beach environments and improved visitor experiences. Nonetheless, substantial challenges remain. Financial limitations undermine consistent infrastructure upgrades and environmental management, while inadequate sanitation and waste collection systems contribute to persistent littering along the coastline. Weak regulatory enforcement by the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly further allows irregular development and poor waste disposal to persist. The study concludes that, although beach development is contributing positively to both economic and environmental conditions, its long-term sustainability depends on strengthened financial investment, improved waste management systems, and more consistent enforcement of coastal regulations. The insights generated may inform broader efforts to promote environmentally responsible coastal tourism in similar African settings.

The hospitality industry is characterized by fast-paced, high-risk environments where staff and students are consistently exposed to accidents such as burns, cuts, slips, and choking incidents. Given these occupational hazards, first aid proficiency is an essential competency for hospitality management students who regularly engage in hands-on training and interact with the public. This study evaluates the knowledge of first aid among hospitality management students at Cape Coast Technical University (CCTU), Ghana, using the Safety Competence Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) as guiding frameworks. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed, with a sample of 210 students proportionally selected from Diploma, Higher National Diploma (HND), and Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech) programmes. Data were collected through structured questionnaires covering first aid prevention, care, and maintenance, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression techniques. Findings indicate that students demonstrated strong awareness of preventive measures, including the use of protective gear, inspection of equipment, and organization of workspaces. They also showed considerable competence in first aid care, reporting confidence in wound management, bandaging, recognizing heart attack symptoms, and handling choking emergencies. Moreover, first aid maintenance knowledge, such as keeping kits accessible, restocking supplies, and disposing of expired items, was the strongest predictor of preventive practices (β = 0.609). Correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships among the three domains, confirming that prevention, care, and maintenance are interdependent. However, the study identified gaps in advanced life-saving skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), with potential knowledge decay over time among students who had received training more than a year prior. The study concludes that while CCTU hospitality students possess generally good first aid knowledge, sustained competence requires structured, hands-on training integrated into the curriculum and reinforced through periodic refresher courses. Embedding such training will not only enhance student and guest safety but also strengthen professional readiness, aligning with the hospitality sector’s standards for quality, safety, and risk management.

The study interrogates the environmental impacts of illegal gold mining (IGM) and its threats to ecotourism development in the Amansie South District of Ghana. Environmental degradation as a result of illegal mining is a threat to the livelihood of individuals, ecotourism development and countries and the attainment of sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially Goal 15 (to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss). Illegal gold mining is not new in Ghana, but miners' introduction of heavy machines is destroying forest and water resources. The study's main objective was to interrogate the environmental impacts of illegal gold mining (IGM) in Ghana and its threat to ecotourism development. To achieve the objective of the study, the qualitative research approach was used. Exploratory and descriptive research designs were employed for the study. A total of 26 representatives from government agencies, community leaders, and illegal miners in the Amansie South District Assembly in the Ashanti Region of Ghana were interviewed. For the different research objectives, content and thematic analyses were conducted. The study found that illegal mining has resulted in the destruction of the natural environment, especially forest and water resources, undermining ecotourism development. Local communities should be educated on the long-term environmental impacts of illegal mining and the benefits of ecotourism to the local economy and sustainable development. This research work adds to the existing literature on the environmental impact of illegal mining and contributes to the ongoing discussions on the threat of illegal mining to the environment in Ghana.