BRIDE PRICE SYSTEM IN GHANA: IMPLICATIONS FOR WOMEN’S ACCESS AND OWNERSHIP OF LAND IN THE WA WEST DISTRICT

Abstract

This thesis investigated the implications of bride price institution for women’s access to and ownership of land [agricultural land] in the Wa West District, Ghana. Data was collected using Focus Group Discussions and In-depth Interviews. Participants involving divorcees, widows, tendamba (landlords), chiefs, extension officers, married men and women of 40 years and above were contacted for interviews. The age criterion was to ensure that participants are abreast with bride price matters and land-related discourse. The results show that bride price payment is a normative requirement that every marriage must fulfil to meet societal demands in the study communities. Secondly, the study also revealed that the practice of bride price payment has both social and economic benefits. Thirdly, it was also revealed that bride price payment strengthens women’s access to land by improving their tenancy security as compared to those not married. However, bride price makes women “labourers” of their husbands, denies women the right to own property as women themselves are commodified by way of bride price payment. Additionally, participants nonetheless, believe that bride price payments must be perpetuated because it is a tradition that has been in existence for long. Lastly, even though participants agreed that bride price commoditizes women, they disagreed there is any direct relationship between bride price payments and women’s inability to own land and indicated that the inheritance system is what has subordinated women and created the gender disparities in land ownership discourse. The study recommends that: local authorities like chiefs, the district assembly and women’s rights organizations should consciously transform bride price and the inheritance system to make them progressive and development-oriented by educating particularly men to understand that women’s economic independence is a win for every family member and will improve the living conditions of society in general.