75 per cent of women farmers have no land

A research conducted by Action Aid Ghana (AAG) reveals that about 75 per cent of women smallholder farmers do not have access to secured land for farming.

The research disclosed that women also lack agriculture extension services and farming inputs like tractor services and seed, while only 13 per cent of women earn income.

To help solve the problem, AAG is implementing a programme dubbed: “Women Rights to Sustainable Livelihood Project under the Funding Leadership and Opportunities for Women funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Addressing some of the beneficiaries in Bolgatanga at the weekend the Deputy Country Director of AAG, Alhaji Yakubu Mohammed Saani explained that the programme aims at assisting the women to fight for equal justice.

He said the project is working with 3000 women smallholder farmers in the Northern and Upper East Regions.

The Programme Manager of AAG in charge of Upper East Region, Mr James Kusi –Boama said under Human Right Base Approach, a traditional ruler in the Region had been empowered to speak against negative cultural practices including female genital mutilation, widowhood rites and forceful marriages.

He said most communities in the region had abandoned most of the negative cultural practices which are encouraging human rights violation.

Deputy Regional Minister, Mr Daniel Syme lauded AAG for the tremendous support it offers to complement government efforts at improving upon the livelihoods of the people particularly women.