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

Abstract

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