Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Economic and Environmental Impacts of Beach Development in Cape Coast

Richmond Yeboah; Awudu Gariba; Emmanuel Dornyoh; Mary Acquaye Moore; Franklin Dzormeku Dacosta

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Economic and Environmental Impacts of Beach Development in Cape Coast

Richmond Yeboah^*

, Awudu Gariba

, Emmanuel Dornyoh

, Mary Acquaye Moore

, Franklin Dzormeku Dacosta

Published in International Journal of Sustainable Development Research (Volume 12, Issue 1)

Received: 1 November 2025 Accepted: 7 January 2026 Published: 16 January 2026

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Abstract

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.

Published in	International Journal of Sustainable Development Research (Volume 12, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11
Page(s)	1-17
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Tourism, Environment, Beach, Sustainable Development, Local Economic Development

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Yeboah, R., Gariba, A., Dornyoh, E., Moore, M. A., Dacosta, F. D. (2026). Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Economic and Environmental Impacts of Beach Development in Cape Coast. International Journal of Sustainable Development Research, 12(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11

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Yeboah, R.; Gariba, A.; Dornyoh, E.; Moore, M. A.; Dacosta, F. D. Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Economic and Environmental Impacts of Beach Development in Cape Coast. Int. J. Sustain. Dev. Res. 2026, 12(1), 1-17. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11

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Yeboah R, Gariba A, Dornyoh E, Moore MA, Dacosta FD. Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Economic and Environmental Impacts of Beach Development in Cape Coast. Int J Sustain Dev Res. 2026;12(1):1-17. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11,
  author = {Richmond Yeboah and Awudu Gariba and Emmanuel Dornyoh and Mary Acquaye Moore and Franklin Dzormeku Dacosta},
  title = {Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Economic and Environmental Impacts of Beach Development in Cape Coast},
  journal = {International Journal of Sustainable Development Research},
  volume = {12},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-17},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsdr.20261201.11},
  abstract = {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.},
 year = {2026}
}

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AB  - 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.
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Author Information

Richmond Yeboah

Department of Tourism Management, Cape Coast Technical University, Cape Coast, Ghana

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http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5041-8291
Awudu Gariba

Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Ho Technical University, Ho, Ghana

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http://orcid.org/0009-0009-2989-0565
Emmanuel Dornyoh

Department of Tourism Management, Cape Coast Technical University, Cape Coast, Ghana

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http://orcid.org/0009-0005-1686-8028
Mary Acquaye Moore

Department of Tourism Management, Cape Coast Technical University, Cape Coast, Ghana

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http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1474-9189
Franklin Dzormeku Dacosta

Department of Tourism Management, Cape Coast Technical University, Cape Coast, Ghana

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http://orcid.org/0009-0007-2917-9146

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APA Style

Yeboah, R., Gariba, A., Dornyoh, E., Moore, M. A., Dacosta, F. D. (2026). Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Economic and Environmental Impacts of Beach Development in Cape Coast. International Journal of Sustainable Development Research, 12(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11

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ACS Style

Yeboah, R.; Gariba, A.; Dornyoh, E.; Moore, M. A.; Dacosta, F. D. Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Economic and Environmental Impacts of Beach Development in Cape Coast. Int. J. Sustain. Dev. Res. 2026, 12(1), 1-17. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11

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AMA Style

Yeboah R, Gariba A, Dornyoh E, Moore MA, Dacosta FD. Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Economic and Environmental Impacts of Beach Development in Cape Coast. Int J Sustain Dev Res. 2026;12(1):1-17. doi: 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11,
  author = {Richmond Yeboah and Awudu Gariba and Emmanuel Dornyoh and Mary Acquaye Moore and Franklin Dzormeku Dacosta},
  title = {Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Economic and Environmental Impacts of Beach Development in Cape Coast},
  journal = {International Journal of Sustainable Development Research},
  volume = {12},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-17},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijsdr.20261201.11},
  abstract = {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.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Economic and Environmental Impacts of Beach Development in Cape Coast
AU  - Richmond Yeboah
AU  - Awudu Gariba
AU  - Emmanuel Dornyoh
AU  - Mary Acquaye Moore
AU  - Franklin Dzormeku Dacosta
Y1  - 2026/01/16
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11
T2  - International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
JF  - International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
JO  - International Journal of Sustainable Development Research
SP  - 1
EP  - 17
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-1832
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijsdr.20261201.11
AB  - 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.
VL  - 12
IS  - 1
ER  -

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