DETERMINANTS OF FEMALE LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION IN FARM AND NON-FARM LIVELIHOOD ENTERPRISES: THE CASE OF FEMALE LABOUR PARTICIPATION IN NORTHERN GHANA

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine determinants of female labour participation in on-farm, and non-farm livelihood enterprises among women in north of Ghana. Data were obtained from a Population baseline survey conducted by METSS as part of USAID „Feed The Future Programme‟ in Northern Ghana Zone in 2012. The survey covered 4,410 households with over 24,000 persons. Individuals covered in this survey who were 15 years or older were 13, 580 and they constitute the sample for this paper. The data were analysed by the use of Chi-square and probit regression analysis. The results of the Chi-square analysis established significant gender disparities in labour participation in food and cash crop production, livestock production, non-farm self-employed enterprises and paid wage labour at 1% level of significance. Also the probit regression analysis identified the location of respondents as either rural or urban, household status, marital status, literacy, participation in household decision making on use of productive resources, income and control over household resources as significant in determining female labour participation in both on-farm and non-farm self-employed enterprises as well as wage labour. The paper recommends empowerment of females through enhancing their access to formal education, improving their access to household decision making on use of household income and control over productive resource to facilitate their participation in both on-farm and non-farm enterprises as well as wage labour.