Ghana Journal of Development Studies 

About: Ghana Journal of Development Studies is an academic journal published by African Journals OnLine. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Poverty & Government. It has an ISSN identifier of 0855-6768. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 290 publications have been published receiving 1312 citations.

Factors Influencing the Decision to Participate in Micro-Credit Programme: An Illustration for Northern Ghana

Abstract: In recent times, governments of several developing countries have been promoting micro-credit as a means for increasing investment in the livelihood activities of the poor and capital-constrained so as to raise their levels of income. This is premised on the assumption that poor people living mainly in rural areas will participate in micro-credit schemes once they are provided the opportunity. However, studies find that, in several instances, rural households refuse to borrow. This study uses the logit model to assess factors influencing the decision to participate in micro-credit schemes in Northern Ghana. The study revealed that age, value of farm output, non-farm income, number of micro-credit institutions, level of education and distance of micro-credit institutions from borrowing households influence individuals' decision to participate in micro-credit schemes. The study concludes that households will join credit programmes if there is the potential to increase gains from their farm enterprises Keywords : Micro-credit, Households, Northern Ghana, Logit model, Risk Aversion Ghana Journal of Development Studies Vol. 3 (2) 2006: pp. 57-65

Customary land ownership and gender disparity: evidence from the Wa municipality of Ghana

Abstract: Studies draw attention to gender inequalities in land tenure. While some insist that gender inequalities in land tenure exists others do not. This paper discusses a study that examined gender issues in customary land ownership in the Wa Municipality. It sought to understand and find ways of bridging the gender gaps, if any. A survey covering 151 respondents comprising Chiefs, Tendamba, women and family heads was undertaken. The research revealed significant disparities between men and women regarding access to and ownership of land. Only 38% of female respondents owned land as compared to 68% of the male respondents. This was mainly attributed to the patrilineal system of inheritance. It also revealed that the inequality in access to land was due to financial constraint and, rapid urbanization as well as the high illiteracy rate among women. A number of recommendations have been made for enhancing women’s access and ownership of customary land in the Wa Municipality and for promoting gender inclusiveness. KEYWORDS : Gender Equality, Access and Control, Systems of Inheritance, Customary Ownership, Land Tenure

Adoption of improved agricultural technologies among rice farmers in Ghana: a multivariate probit approach

Abstract: The need for practising modern techniques in rice production has become increasingly important in Ghana as the per capita cultivable land continues to shrink. This study employed a multivariate probit model to estimate the determinants of adoption of improved agricultural technologies using household data collected from 543 rice farmers in the Upper East and Northern region of Ghana. There was complementarity among all the improved rice production technologies (i.e. nursery establishment, harrowing, line planting, spacing, urea briquette, irrigation, and bunding). Among the socio-economic variables, education, household size, experience, farm size, sex, and age of the farmer play significant roles, with differing signs across technologies. Among the institutional factors, membership of farmer-based organisation, access to research service, training and credit were significant with differing signs across the improved technologies. Location also had significant and differing influence on adoption. Also, demonstration, TV, radio, video, mobile phones, and household extension methods had significant and differing influence on the adoption of improved technologies, providing significant justification for the review of the agricultural extension methods and approaches of Ghana to include new ICT and mass media approaches. To improve the output of rice, farmers are advised to jointly adopt the identified improved rice production technologies. Keywords: Adoption, Agricultural Technologies, Multivariate Probit, Rice Farmers, Northern Ghana

Housing Policy in Ghana: The Feasible Paths

Abstract: Several housing policies have been implemented in Ghana since independence in 1957. Despite these policies, housing in Ghana is characterized by inadequate housing stock, overcrowding, congestion, housing decay, and neighbourhood blight. The paper examines the outcomes of pre and post-colonial housing policies in Ghana. It determines the feasible way forward for the country’s housing policy. This is done through literature, documentary and archival surveys. It notes that past housing policy interventions in Ghana failed to realize their intended objectives. The paper suggests that housing policies in the country should focus on developing the housing finance market; establishing community based housing finance schemes; enforcement of planning controls; and confining government’s role to regulating the housing market rather than assuming housing developer and financier responsibilities.

'Poverty in Ghana is basically a rural phenomenon': Are we underestimating urban poverty?

Abstract: Poverty in Ghana is generally described as a rural phenomenon. While this statement is widely quoted, little attention has been given to the methodology used in the measurement of poverty which leads to this conclusion. This article argues for a critical re-examination of this statement. While not underestimating the extent and depth of rural poverty, it argues that the present consumptionbased approach used in estimating or measuring the level of poverty in Ghana is bias against urban areas, which may therefore underestimate urban poverty, and consequently the overall poverty level of the country. The article examines the poverty line setting methodology and the biases against urban areas, and the implications of underestimating urban poverty. It concludes that the bias against urban areas may be a logical extension of the ‘anti-urban’ development perspective, which has its roots in the urban bias thesis (the perception that urban areas have always been favoured in development policies and in the allocation of resources). It stressed that poverty reduction programmes such as the Ghana’s poverty reduction strategy papers (GPRSI&II) should place equal emphasis on both rural poverty and urban poverty.