Formerly noted for their mothering roles (Deckard, 1983), Sub-Saharan African women in agriculture, especially those in Ghana are gradually defying the odds to become sustainers of their homes despite their meagre income (Heintz, 2005; ILO Geneva, 2011). Nonetheless, the major difficulty they face in the agricultural sector, is that of lack of finance, of which the creation of an enabling and conducive environment will lead to their true empowerment, hence, reinforce their economic capabilities (Sen, 2003). However, their much younger counterparts, the youth, as much as they are encouraged to go into agriculture, tend to rather reel under their “Achilles heel”, thus, engage in their unabated exodus from rural areas to urban centers in search of non-existent jobs.
This paper, admonishes the sensitization of the former in a bid to ensure their entrepreneurship, and by so doing, promote rural development. For purposes of methodology, the paper has been duly divided into two major parts, of which the first part talks about women’s empowerment, whereas, the second part deals with youth entrepreneurship in agriculture and the rural development sector.
Key words: Women, Youth, empowerment, entrepreneurship, rural development
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Women’s empowerment in agriculture and rural development in Ghana
3. Youth entrepreneurship in agriculture and rural development sector in Ghana:
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this research is to analyze the socio-economic challenges faced by women and youth in the Ghanaian agricultural sector, with the goal of identifying mechanisms to foster empowerment and rural development through entrepreneurship.
- Socio-economic empowerment of women in rural agriculture.
- Barriers to financing for female farmers and agribusinesses.
- Promotion of youth entrepreneurship to reduce rural-to-urban migration.
- Strategic importance of an "enabling environment" for agricultural growth.
- Development of institutional frameworks and incentives for rural transformation.
Excerpt from the Book
Women’s empowerment in agriculture and rural development in Ghana
Hitherto, for centuries, the most important clue to a woman’s status anywhere in the world has always been her degree of participation in economic life and her control over property and the product she creates (Leavitt, 1971; Hartmann, 1976).
However, for purposes of efficiency, every known society has always divided and specialized labour tasks to some extent. The aforementioned division of labour has for the most part, consciously or unconsciously been done along gender lines where men carry out tasks that take them outside the home. Women, however, are largely restricted to homecare and childbearing activities due to their attributes, known traits and behavioural pattern.
Nonetheless, based on their perceived temperament, they are naturally considered as mothers, and their greatest pleasure and true fulfilment are thought to lie in maternity (Deckard, 1983).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter provides an overview of South-South and Triangular Cooperation as platforms for addressing developmental issues and outlines the paper's focus on women and youth in the developing world.
Women’s empowerment in agriculture and rural development in Ghana: The chapter explores the gendered division of labor and the systemic challenges women face, such as lack of finance and marginalization, while emphasizing the need for institutional support to enhance their economic roles.
Youth entrepreneurship in agriculture and rural development sector in Ghana: This section examines the necessity of redefining entrepreneurship as a catalyst for development and addresses the perception problem that drives rural youth to migrate to urban centers.
Conclusion: The chapter summarizes that urgent policy reforms, access to finance, and the creation of enabling environments are essential for empowering women and encouraging youth to embrace agriculture for national development.
Keywords
Women, Youth, Empowerment, Entrepreneurship, Rural Development, Agriculture, Ghana, Sub-Saharan Africa, Finance, Poverty Reduction, Economic Capability, Gender, Value Chain, Agribusiness, Sustainable Development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the socio-economic status of women and youth in Ghana, specifically within the agriculture and rural development sectors, exploring how empowerment and entrepreneurship can act as tools for poverty reduction.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include gender-based division of labor, the financial constraints faced by rural women, the necessity of creating an enabling environment for agriculture, and the importance of youth entrepreneurship for economic growth.
What is the primary objective of the study?
The goal is to advocate for institutionalized affirmative action and policy frameworks that enable women to access finance and encourage the youth to view agriculture as a viable professional career rather than migrating to urban centers.
Which scientific method is utilized in this paper?
The paper follows a structured methodology, dividing the analysis into two major parts: the first addressing the de-marginalization of women and the second focusing on youth entrepreneurship within the agricultural sector.
What does the main body cover?
The main body investigates the historical marginalization of women, the gendered patterns of poverty, the specific challenges related to securing working capital, and the dynamics of rural entrepreneurship for the youth.
What keywords best characterize this work?
The work is best defined by keywords such as women's empowerment, youth entrepreneurship, rural development, agriculture, financial access, and sustainable development.
How does the author define "youth" for the purpose of this study?
Acknowledging that definitions vary globally, the author adopts the age bracket of 18 to 24 years based on definitions provided by international institutions like the ILO and the UN.
Why does the author consider entrepreneurship a "prime mover" in development?
Entrepreneurship is viewed as a strategic intervention because it involves the adoption of new technologies and organizational forms, which helps in producing goods and creating wealth, thereby accelerating the development process.
What specific problem does the author highlight regarding Ghanaian youth in agriculture?
The author identifies a "perception problem" where young people rarely view the agricultural sector as attractive, leading to an "unabated exodus" from rural areas to urban centers in search of jobs that often do not exist.
What are the author's suggestions for retaining youth in the rural agricultural sector?
The author proposes the creation of incentive packages, such as preferential salary structures for rural areas, and suggests that tertiary institutions should liaise with farmers to integrate students into agribusiness incubator centers.
- Citation du texte
- Frank Edem Kofigah (Auteur), 2016, Women's Empowerment and Youth Entrepreneurship in Agriculture and Rural Development Sector in Ghana, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/317254
