Non-timber forest products farming and empowerment of rural women in Ghana |
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Authors: | Albert Ahenkan Emmanuel Boon |
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Institution: | (1) Human Ecology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium |
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Abstract: | United Nations estimates indicate that up to 70% of the world’s poor are female, and women in developing countries constitute
the majority of the labour force, playing a key role in managing community resources and helping to improve food security
and protect the environment. Increased attention in recent years has been focused on the potential role of non-timber forest
products (NTFPs) in improving the incomes and health of women in developing countries. NTFPs farming and marketing are very
critical for the economic empowerment of rural poor, particularly women. Despite this potential, the contribution of NTFPs
farming to the empowerment of women remains largely undervalued and understudied. This paper examines the potential contribution
of NTFPs farming in poverty reduction and livelihood improvement of women in Ghana using the Sefwi Wiawso District (SWD) and
Bibiani-Bekwai District (BBD) in the Western Region of Ghana as a case study. The paper explores the contribution of NTFPs
farming to the total annual income, acquisition of assets, health, and food security of women through participatory research
methods. ANOVA and Pearson Correlation (p < 0.05) show that a significant association exists between total annual income of women, acquisition of assets, health, food
security, and the income earned from NTFPs in the SWD and BBD. The study revealed that NTFPs can contribute significantly
to the economic empowerment of women. The paper asserts that commercialisation of NTFPs will have a greater impact on women’s
livelihoods and therefore any opportunity for increasing their involvement is very essential for the empowerment and sustainable
development of rural communities in Ghana. |
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