LAND ACCESS AND POVERTY REDUCTION AMONG WOMEN IN CHANSA IN THE NORTH WESTERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Millions of families in Africa depend on agriculture for their livelihood and poverty reduction. Women who are the majority and poorer in Africa and particularly those at Chansa in Ghana are engaged in farming and they contribute immensely to agricultural production in their capacity as farm owners, farm partners and farm labourers. What is not known, which the study is interested in finding out, is whether their role as farm owners’ enables them have access to productive farm lands and the returns from farming contributes to the reduction of poverty among them. It is a case study and we employed qualitative methods such as interviews and focused group discussion in gathering data. The study revealed that land is a key factor of production in the community and contributes significantly to livelihood assets. However, the lack of ownership, control and full access to land by women in the Chansa community makes it difficult for them to cultivate food crops and invest in other projects that could reduce their poverty levels significantly. The study concludes that there is the need for customary land reform to modify customary laws on access to land and inheritance, which do not support the course of women.