This research paper is a result of a study that
analysed the relationship between livelihood coping strategies and livelihood
outcomes for smallholder farmers in Bawku East District of Northern Ghana. The
descriptive research design was chosen to permit
obtaining and describing of information concerning the land acquisition
structures/processes; the available livelihood assets, how these could be transformed through
innovative livelihood coping strategies towards achieving sustainable livelihood outcomes for the
rural dwellers who lost land in the Bawku East District of northern Ghana. The correlational design was utilised to permit
investigation of the relationship between land acquisition and livelihood
outcomes among smallholder farmers in Bawku East District of northern Ghana.
400 individuals participated in the study in four villages in Bawku District.
The villages were selected because they had been affected by large scale land
acquisitions for community development projects. The study found out that the
nature of land acquisition process is not modelled to improve livelihood coping
strategies adaptation among the farmers in Bawku East District; that
non-agricultural specialization is key to better livelihood outcomes due to
consequences that come along with land acquisition. The adaptation of better
land acquisition structures through non-agricultural
diversification approaches is desirable for good livelihood outcomes; but its aftermath is
associated with land conflicts in the Bawku East District. The use of family
heads, traditional chiefs, and law courts for settlement of conflicts are
essential in resolving land conflicts in Bawku East District.
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