Women’s Access to Emerging Urban Land in The Sissala East District in Northern Ghana

Abstract

Using both qualitative and quantitative data, this study assessed the level and extent of women’s rights to urban land and how to improve access for purposes of urban land development in the patrilineal communities of the Sissala East District in the Upper West Region of northern Ghana. The evidence shows that though women do access and hold urban land rights through purchase, they normally do so with the understanding of their husband s, since a woman acquires membership of her husband’s ancestral home. The security of such purchased property is guaranteed while that of gifts or donations depends on the security of a marriage - women with male children generally have far more security and effectively control land. The way forward in addressing women’s vulnerability, access and security to land is through a multi-sectoral approach that provides education and training for women, financial empowerment through expansion of income-generating activities and credit facilities, gender inclusiveness in decisionmaking and support for traditional institutions, co-operatives and advocacy groups that build women capacity.

Keywords: land tenure, access to land, land rights, patrilineal system, Sissala East District.