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The Shea Industry and Rural Livelihoods among Women in the Wa Municipality, Ghana

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  • Abdul-Moomin Adams
  • Issahaku Abudulai
  • Motin Bashiru

Abstract

The majority of rural population in Ghana are faced with poverty, especially in northern Ghana which records the highest poverty levels. Despite the potential of the shea industry to contribute to alleviating poverty among rural women, little attention has been given to the industry. This paper examined the shea industry as a source of livelihood among rural women as well as the challenges women faced in the industry in Wa Municipality. Cross-sectional research design was employed and data were collected using questionnaires. The results of the study indicate that 93.7% of the women participated in the shea value chain as a main source of livelihood strategy; as much as 69.8% of the respondents in the shea industry produce for both subsistence and commercial purposes; majority of the respondents (96%) were engaged in fresh nut collection as well as home processing of nuts, and 86.5% were engaged in shea butter processing; the average annual income per person was GH¡é846.85; however, the average annual income for butter processors was much higher than that of nut processors; and the major challenges confronting women in the shea industry includes: limited access to investment capital; cutting down of live shea trees; lack of modern processing equipment and training; and poor pricing of shea products in the local market. The paper calls on government to formulate a clear cut policy for the industry, particularly on marketing of the shea products to make the industry lucrative for women while at the same time increasing the export base of shea products.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdul-Moomin Adams & Issahaku Abudulai & Motin Bashiru, 2016. "The Shea Industry and Rural Livelihoods among Women in the Wa Municipality, Ghana," Journal of Social Science Studies, Macrothink Institute, vol. 3(2), pages 40-56, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:mth:jsss88:v:3:y:2016:i:2:p:40-56
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Trienekens, Jacques H., 2011. "Agricultural Value Chains in Developing Countries A Framework for Analysis," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 14(2), pages 1-32, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marcin Pawel Jarzebski & Abubakari Ahmed & Yaw Agyeman Boafo & Boubacar Siddighi Balde & Linda Chinangwa & Osamu Saito & Graham Maltitz & Alexandros Gasparatos, 2020. "Food security impacts of industrial crop production in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review of the impact mechanisms," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 12(1), pages 105-135, February.
    2. Kongsen Wu & Dongyan Kong & Xinjun Yang, 2023. "The Impact of Rural Industrial Development on Farmers’ Livelihoods—Taking Fruit-Producing Area as an Example," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-21, July.
    3. Yari Vecchio & Abdul-Latif Iddrisu & Felice Adinolfi & Marcello De Rosa, 2020. "Geographical Indication to Build up Resilient Rural Economies: A Case Study from Ghana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Martha Adimabuno Awo, 2018. "A Survey-Based Qualitative Analysis of the Institutional Structures and Policy Measures in the Shea Sector of Ghana," Research in World Economy, Research in World Economy, Sciedu Press, vol. 9(2), pages 24-37, June.

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