VENTURING INTO MEN’S SPACE: THE WOMEN FISHERS OF NORTHERN GHANA

Abstract

The study was conducted at Nawuni, in the Northern Region of Ghana to investigate the activities of women fishers along the White Volta, a tributary of the Volta River. Data was collected through the use of a structured interview guide. The results reveal that the fishery is a basket fishery and was dominated by women between the ages of 31 to 40 years (35.7%), with the dominant ethnicity being Ewe. Fishing was their primary occupation and earnings from the sale of fish (GH¢ 157.00 (US$ 10.36) on average daily) were used to provide for their households. The need to have and maintain a livelihood was the motivation for majority of the women (89.3%) to venture into the men’s space and become fishers. Almost all the women use specialized baskets with bait to attract small pelagic fish which is dominated by clupeids and schilbeids. The main challenges faced by the female fishers were the high cost and unavailability of fishing gears they needed. Other options for bait preparation to avoid the use of detergent, and population studies of the dominant exploited species (Schilbei intermedius) to ensure sustainability of the fishery are recommended.