Assessing customary land rights and tenure security variations of smallholder farmers in northwest Ghana

Inequalities generally exist in society regarding the distribution of resources including land. This paper assessed inequalities customary land rights and tenure security among smallholder farmers northwest Ghana using social structure theory. exploratory study adopted focus group discussions, interviews key informants persons institutions area. It also used visual manual interpretation satellite images. found that male landowners possess strongest highest security. Male settlers were next possessing strong high While all women irrespective whether they are from landowner or settler groups had weakest deviates tenets theory, which presupposes landowning would have stronger than (male female). Fewer building development vast uncultivated lands revealed by images, partly contradicts literature suggesting physical developments cause scarcity, may lead to inequalities. research agrees with concludes population growth, urbanisation particularly anticipation future prospects primarily influences current insecurity The findings this useful for identifying context-based variations. shows nature extent variations therefore gives indications how, who need be strengthened. Besides, local communities can assisted community leaders community-based organisations re-sensitise themselves protect particularly, vulnerable society. reveals an essential potential i.e. their readiness cooperate efforts (whether external), towards narrowing further marginalises already marginalised settlers. recommends studies identify specific ways address ensure different groups.