Land Tenure Security and Agricultural Productivity in Ghana: Insights from a Dual Customary and Legal Land System

Abstract

This paper assessed the relationship between secure land rights and agricultural productivity, focusing on food security outcomes in Ghana. While previous literature had explored tenure security across sub-Saharan Africa, this study uniquely analyzed Ghana’s dual customary-statutory land tenure system and its gendered impacts, which had been understudied. Using a systematic review methodology following PRISMA guidelines, we synthesized evidence from 85 peer-reviewed studies. Our findings revealed that secure land tenure was a critical catalyst for agricultural investment and productivity, especially for female-headed households. The study highlighted the challenges women farmers faced within Ghana's tenure arrangements, despite their vital role in agriculture. We emphasized the need for innovative, gender-responsive land tenure reforms that bridged customary and statutory systems. We offered policy recommendations addressing legal and socio-cultural dimensions of land governance, contributing to debates on sustainable agricultural development and food security in similar economies. Our research underscored the importance of complementary investments in infrastructure and extension services to maximize the benefits of tenure security, providing a comprehensive approach to land reform.