Women in ginger production and livelihood sustainability in rural Ghana: an explorative study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Sustainable development and sustainability have taken centre stage in national and international discussions in recent years. Empirical evidence suggests that sustainability of development endeavours and livelihood are crucial for sustainable development. In Ghana, studies have found the role of food crop production in livelihood sustainability of farmers. Ginger farming is one crop that is not fully embraced in Ghana, and as a result its production is largely limited to women in rural areas. To ascertain whether ginger farming has improved women’s livelihood, this study seeks to investigate the contribution of ginger production to women’s livelihood sustainability in the Asutifi South District of Ghana. The study is explorative, using a concurrent embedded mixed method approach. A total of 279 women were selected for the study, a questionnaire and interviews were used, and data were analysed descriptively and thematically. The results of the study revealed that ginger farming provides women with improved income, and as a result empowered them economically through access to and ownership of productive assets. Aside from that, the study observed that ginger production has improved women’s health status, enhanced their societal recognition and decision-making powers within their households and communities. However, the study also observed that women have limited access to production resources. The study’s contribution to literature and policy implications are discussed.