This research paper is a result of a study that analysed the relationship
between land acquisition processes and structures on livelihood outcomes of
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 concludes that, the
introduction of land title registration to replace the Deed registration in
Ghana was not effective as was envisaged; because to date after its
introduction, the weaknesses identified under the Deed’s registration remained
unresolved due to poor implementation of the law and other institutional
related factors. The indigenous land tenure and management system continues to
operate and provide land for many people and purposes. It has wider coverage
than the state system and dominates particularly in rural areas and for
agricultural purposes. The Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) was passed by Parliament
and assented to by the President on 23rd December 2020 to revise, harmonise and
consolidate the laws on land to ensure sustainable land administration and
management, effective and efficient land tenure and to provide for related
matters. With the Chiefs as the pivot for land related disputes and/or conflict
resolutions; the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759) was enacted by the Parliament
and assented by the President on 16th June 2008. The land acquisition process
in Bawku East District has a negative impact on the livelihood of indigenous
farmers. This is attributed to the fact that land acquisition leads to the loss
of land, loss of means of livelihood,
disruption of economic activities, persistent land-related
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