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Can I sell one of my cows? Institutions assets and gender-based poverty

Ghana Journal of Development Studies

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Title Can I sell one of my cows? Institutions assets and gender-based poverty
 
Creator Bacho, FZL
 
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Description This paper examines the linkages between institutions, assets and the existing gender differentials in levels of production and poverty in peasant economies in Northern Ghana from an institutional economics perspective. Quantitative and qualitative empirical data were collected from eight study communities in four major ethnic groups in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The results from the analysis show that the institutionalization age old norms regarding the ownership, access and control of assets have affected the degree to which men and women in traditional societies actually own and control critical productive assets like land, cattle, irrigation water and even their own labour. Women were found to have minimal control over these assets, since the accepted norm is that the male head of household has ultimate control over these assets. The direct consequences of these institutionalized ownership and control norms are the low levels of production of women and the relative poverty of women in the region. An outstanding merit of the study is the unraveling of the complex relationships between institutional set-ups, assets, production and poverty. These complexities points to the fact the issue of poverty in Northern Ghana and how it can be addressed is a complex subject and one will need to appreciate the institutional context. The findings also provide useful information to both policy makers and practitioner on how to address the complex issue related to gender and development.
Ghana Journal of Development Studies Vol.1(1) 2004: 25-48
 
Publisher Faculty of Integrated Development Studies, University for Development Studies, Ghana
 
Contributor —
 
Date 2005-07-28
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
Peer-reviewed Article
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Format application/pdf
 
Identifier https://www.ajol.info/index.php/gjds/article/view/34998
10.4314/gjds.v1i1.34998
 
Source Ghana Journal of Development Studies; Vol 1, No 1 (2004); 25-48
0855-6768
 
Language eng
 
Relation https://www.ajol.info/index.php/gjds/article/view/34998/24919
 
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Rights © 2018 The authors.The Ghana Journal of Development Studies is published twice a year (May & October) by the Faculty of Integrated Development Studies as a service to development related research.No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any means; electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the written authorisation of the publisher and copyright owner.The content is licensed uder a CC-BY license.