Political economy analysis of the production and marketing of shea nut products by women in the Northern Region of Ghana

Abstract

Shea nut, a crop which is currently picked mostly by women in the wild, offers an opportunity for empowering women to increase their incomes and reduce overall poverty in the three northern regions of Ghana (Upper East, Upper West and Northern). These three regions have very high absolute poverty levels, both in the Ghanaian and African contexts, with women bearing the greater burden of the poverty. This paper was based on a survey of 226 women farmers in the Northern Region of Ghana which is the most important producing shea nut producing region of Ghana. Farmers’ satisfaction for prices received for shea products was linked to their membership of farmer-based organizations, having savings accounts and having enforceable contracts with buyers. There were extensive market failures in the production and processing of shea nut products. The reduction of these market failures has largely been undertaken through efforts from farmer-based organizations. Some government intervention is required to help to improve market outcomes and livelihoods of the women.