ActionAid Ghana Study Exposes Deep Gender Inequalities in Land Ownership, Calls for Urgent Policy Action

A new study by ActionAid Ghana has revealed that fewer than 2% of women in Ghana own titled land, a stark and concerning statistic that is reigniting national discourse on gender inequality in agriculture and land governance.

The report, “A Gendered Analysis of the Feed Ghana Programme,” highlights entrenched structural barriers that continue to marginalise women farmers, despite their critical role in sustaining Ghana’s food systems. According to the findings, women contribute between 50% and 70% of the agricultural labour force, yet control only a minimal share of productive resources particularly land, finance, and agricultural inputs.

This imbalance, experts warn, poses significant risks to food security, poverty reduction, and inclusive national development. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that closing the gender gap in agriculture could increase farm yields by up to 30%, with the potential to lift between 100 and 150 million people out of hunger globally. In Ghana, where agriculture contributes approximately 20% to GDP and employs over one-third of the population, advancing women’s access to resources could serve as a major driver of productivity and economic resilience.

Presenting the findings at ActionAid Ghana’s “Harvesting Resilience” Conference in Tamale, Professor Abazaami Joseph of the University for Development Studies underscored that the challenge extends beyond land ownership. He noted that women farmers receive less than 10% of available agricultural credit, while also facing limited access to extension services and modern farming technologies. Prof Abazaami emphasised that “These structural inequalities are not incidental—they are systemic and require deliberate, coordinated policy action.” 

The study identifies weak land tenure systems, entrenched socio-cultural norms, and gaps in policy implementation as key drivers of inequality. It further highlights disparities in public investment, noting that less than 10% of Ghana’s agricultural budget is directly allocated to smallholder farmers, with an even smaller proportion reaching women.

In response, ActionAid Ghana is calling for transformative and gender-responsive reforms, including targeted agricultural financing for women, dedicated budgetary allocations, and strengthened collaboration with traditional authorities and local governance structures to secure women’s land rights. The organisation also advocates for inclusive and context-sensitive policies that reflect the diverse realities of women farmers across regions and agricultural value chains.

The conference, held under the theme “Women Farmers, Agroecology and Agricultural Policy Accountability,” convened policymakers, civil society actors, and women farmers to co-create solutions and strengthen accountability. The engagement aligns with ActionAid Ghana’s broader strategic priorities of advancing agroecology, food sovereignty, women’s rights, and active citizenship.

Speaking on behalf of the Country Director, the Head of Programmes, Campaigns and Innovation, Justin Cyprian Naah Bayor, reiterated the AAG's commitment to leveraging evidence for policy influence. “This research goes beyond documentation—it is a strategic advocacy tool. We are committed to ensuring that these findings shape national policy dialogue and resource allocation in ways that deliver tangible change for women farmers,” he stated.

The Northern Regional Coordinating Council also expressed support for sustainable agricultural approaches. Principal Development Planning Officer Eric Ofori Arthur highlighted the role of agroecological practices, including home gardening, in enhancing household food security, reducing food costs, and improving nutrition outcomes.

Further reinforcing the call for action, ActionAid Ghana’s Northern Regional Programme Officer, Alia Mumuni, and Women’s Rights and Campaign Manager, Eugenia Ayishetu Ayagiba, stressed the urgent need to dismantle discriminatory norms and systemic barriers that limit women’s access to land and economic opportunities.

Testimonies from women farmers at the forum brought the data to life, sharing experiences of insecure land tenure, limited access to inputs, and exclusion from decision-making spaces. These lived realities underscore the urgency for bold, coordinated, and inclusive policy responses.

As Ghana advances flagship initiatives such as the Feed Ghana Programme, stakeholders emphasise that gender equality in agriculture is not optional but foundational to achieving sustainable development. Without deliberate action, the country risks undermining its food security ambitions and leaving millions of women behind.

Written by Jacqueline Parditey & Julitta Nyetoh