April 3, 2012 - 5:00am
By Jenn McGarrigle
Nanaimo News Bulletin
A conversation under a large tree in the middle of a town in north western Ghana has led to a long-term partnership between a Vancouver Island University professor and the town.
Aggie Weighill, in the recreation and tourism department, is leading a field school in Ghana this year.
The long-term objective of the field school is to help the town of Larabanga develop tourism enterprises that benefit individuals and the community. The goal this year – Weighill has committed to bringing students to Larabanga each year for as long as they are of use – is to help the community develop a shared vision of what tourism could look like in the town.
"It's not us going in with the expert opinion," said Weighill. "They have to decide what they want. The worst thing we could do is think we have all the answers for them."
This is the second year of Weighill's partnership with Larabanga and her fourth trip to Ghana in as many years.
[News Bulletin story]()
Tags: In the Community
