Factors Which Influence Women’s Access to Agricultural Resources in Talensi and Nabdam Districts of the Upper East Region

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to assess factors which influence women’s level of access to agricultural resources in the Talensi and Nabdam Districts of the Upper East Region of Ghana. The study which adopted a survey design also used both quantitative and qualitative methods in data collection and analysis. A total of one hundred and seventy-one (171) women farmers were sampled for the study. Structured interview schedules were administered followed by Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The study found out that found older women have higher level access to their farmlands than younger respondents. Marital status was revealed to increase women’s level of access to agricultural resources in general, however, senior wives had greater access than junior wives. Contrary to existing literature, widows were found to have more access especially to land, when they have male adult children as the children inherit their father’s lands. In sum, the study generally revealed that socio-demographic factors have a strong influence on women’s level of access to agricultural resources.

Keywords: ‘Tindaannam’, ‘Naara’,   ‘Talensi’, ‘Nabdam’