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Urbanisation reducing Ghanaian smallholders’ lands
by Samuel Hinneh
“About two years ago, I went to my farm only to meet two people with documents to the effect that they have acquired my farmland for building [a house].” – Ghanaian smallholder, Report
Speed read
- Ghana’s urban areas are increasing by 3.5 per cent a year, says a new report
- It finds declining agricultural land particularly for smallholder farmers in Ghana
- Climate change and attitudes of traditional leaders are to blame, experts say
Fertile farmlands are rapidly declining in Ghana due to pressure from population growth and urbanisation, threatening rural livelihoods and food security, according to a new report.
The report says Ghana’s urban areas are expanding at a rate of 3.5 per cent annually as a result of a rising population.
The report based on a study conducted by researchers at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana was released last month (18 August) in Accra at a workshop.
According to the report, researchers selected 140 respondents in southern Ghana and 150 respondents in northern Ghana and examined the trends, drivers and players of changing land access in rural areas through household surveys, interviews and focus group discussions.
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