PATRIARCHY AND WOMANHOOD: THE CASE OF THE KONKOMBA WOMAN IN THE NANUMBA NORTH MUNICIPALITY OF THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

The Konkomba society, like many other African societies is patriarchal in nature with associated imbalanced gender relations which cast women in subservient positions. This study examined the existing patriarchal structures of the Konkombas and how this system determines the womanhood of the Konkomba woman in the Nanumba North Municipality in the Northern Region of Ghana. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and a mix method approach. It employed questionnaire in collecting quantitative data while in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were used to gather qualitative data. In all, 177 respondents were sampled for the study using both probability and non-probability sampling techniques. The study used descriptive and inferential statistics. Some of the key findings of the research were that and ideal Konkomba was defined as a wife and as a mother. The study also identified the various dimensions of gender inequality and discrimination, and discussed socio-cultural, political and economic factors such as child marriage, polygyny, inheritance rights, widowhood rites, household work, family headship and sexual rights that lead to discrimination against women among the Konkombas. The conclusion of this research is therefore, that, if the principle of democracy tolerates diversity of opinion and participation of different interest groups, then, the same cannot survive without women, who constitute more than half of the world’s population. The work recommends that all spheres of inhuman discrimination and gender inequality must be challenged through a deliberate, sensitive, consistent and systematic approach of gender relations including gender mainstreaming in all facets of life.