COMMERCIALISATION OF LAND AND THE PEASANT ECONOMY OF EWUSIEJO IN THE WESTERN REGION OF GHANA

ABSTRACT

Africa, in the last two decades, has witnessed a surge in foreign interests in land acquisitions. These acquisitions being mainly for agricultural purposes have largely been blamed on these foreign interests as being the sole perpetrators responsible for these acquisitions and its consequent effects. Land which was hitherto (and still is) a communal property from which the entire community derived benefits is now being commercialized and individualized thereby limiting the communal benefits derived from it. Since the announcement of the oil find in the Western Region of Ghana in 2007, interest in land in that region has soared. Though the oil find is important to Ghana’s development, the consequent alterations to the economic and socio-cultural life of the surrounding communities cannot be ignored.

Using a total of 36 respondents from Ewusiejo, a community in the Western Region, the study explored the economic and socio-cultural changes occurring in the community. This was done by identifying what accounts for changes in land use and land acquisition in Ewusiejo as well as the role played by local actors in the acquisition of land for real estate purposes. It also examined the implications of such acquisitions for the peasant livelihood as well as the spatial and social relations that exist in the community. The study was carried out using the qualitative research design and employing semi-structured interview guides, in-depth interviews, and direct observation.

The findings indicate that as a result of the oil find, land is no longer acquired for agricultural purposes but for industrial use. The local actors, namely, the chiefs and the family heads play a very significant role in land acquisitions by virtue of the power they wield in granting access, and determining the kind of rights to be derived from land. The acquisitions have a devastating effect on the livelihood of the peasant farmers in that most of them have lost their source of livelihood in the community. It has also disrupted the social and spatial relations in the community.