Abstract:
The purpose of this research work is to examine the extent to which land ownership
rights and conflicts among farmers and herdsmen in Kwahu East District (KED) in
the Eastern Region of Ghana. This research was based on five objectives including: to
examine land ownership rights in the Kwahu East District,determine how farmers and
herders get access to farmlands,analyse the causes of conflicts between farmers and
herders over the use of land in Kwahu East District, analyse the effects of conflicts
between farmers and herders in Kwahu East District and,examine the role being
played by various bodies, including the District Assembly, Traditional Authorities,
Security agencies among others in addressing the conflict.The study adopted a
descriptive case study research design. The study population involved residents of the
three communities within the Kwahu East District namely: Yaw Tenkorang, Kwaku
Sarfo and Bebua. The purposive sampling technique was used to select 4 traditional
leaders, 10 farmers, 10 herdsmen and cattle owners, 3 assembly members, The
District Chief Executive, The District Commander of Police, and the District Land
Officer. The study concluded that, land ownership rights in KED were based on the
allodia and usufruct systems, which vest land ownership rights in the hands of
traditional authorities and family heads. Again, the study showed that, indigenous
farmers lay claim to greater rights over the lands compared to herders who are
considered as aliens, without land ownerswhip right. Crop destruction, and
competition over land, cattle rustling, mistrust between herders and hunters, closeness
of farms to grazing routes and violence against women, unfavorable climatic changes
coupled with incompatible farming and herding practices are the causes to the
conflict. It has also been established that, the farmer-herder conflicts have resulted in
loss of lives, destruction of properties, souring of relationship between farmers and
herders and the desertion of towns and villages. The study revealed measures initiated
to find lasting solution to this conflict.
Key words: Farmers, Herders, land ownership rights.
Description:
A Dissertation in the Department of Social Studies education,
Facultyof Social Sciences Submitted to the School of
Graduate Studies, in Partial fulfilment
of the Requirements for the Award of the Degreeof
Master of Philosophy
(Social Studies)
in the University of Education, Winneba
OCTOBER, 2020