The Gender and Equity Implications of Land-Related Investments on Land Access, Labour and Income-Generating Opportunities in Northern Ghana

Abstract

In recent years, Ghana has witnessed increased interest from private companies in developing agricultural investments. This trend is common to many lower/middle income countries. It has translated in a surge in large-scale land acquisitions in many lower/middle income countries, including Ghana, but also in agribusiness ventures that source produce from local farmers. While much debate on agricultural investments has discussed risks and opportunities for host governments and local comm unities in an aggregate way, it is critical to understand the distribution of the costs and benefits created by an investment project on different groups of the rural population. This report investigates the gender-differentiated implications of agricultural investments in Ghana and at the policies and practices that shape outcomes for women and men. The report draws on a review of the literature on agricultural investments in Ghana and analysis of the relevant policy frameworks, on the one hand; and on fieldwork conducted in late 2011 and early 2012 to investigate the case of the Integrated Tamale Food Company (ITFC), on the other.