BTA2023 Women’s control and ownership of land in Ghana have seen a remarkable rise from 25.8% to 49.6% following the successful completion of the five-year WEACT (Women’s Economic Advancement for Collective Transformation) Project, a joint initiative by Oxfam and Global Affairs Canada. The project was implemented in four regions: Upper West, Upper East, Northern, and Western.
At the project’s closing ceremony in Accra, Mr. Mohammed Anwar Sadat Adam, Country Director of Oxfam in Ghana, highlighted how WEACT tackled gender-based challenges in agriculture, particularly in the shea and cocoa sectors. The initiative sought to break barriers that restricted women’s economic participation and to promote inclusive growth.
Progress in Women’s Land Rights
One of the most notable achievements of the project was enhancing land tenure security for women, with increasing support from traditional leaders and men, many of whom now recognize women’s right to own land.
Beyond land ownership, the initiative empowered over 30,000 beneficiaries, including men, by educating them on women’s rights, family law, inheritance laws, and children’s rights. The project also intervened in cases involving land repossession for widows, child support issues, and gender-based violence, successfully preventing eight child marriages.
Gender Equality in Household Responsibilities
A critical component of WEACT was the Gender Model Family program, which enrolled 540+ couples. Reports from the program showed a significant reduction in unpaid care work for women, decreasing from 46.88 hours to 20.23 hours per week. Meanwhile, men’s household contributions increased from 14.36 hours to 18.21 hours per week.
The initiative also positively impacted girls’ education, with girls gaining 29.6 extra hours per week for studies, contributing to improved academic performance.
An evaluation report further revealed a significant shift in attitudes, with 96% of men and 98% of women now supporting equal household responsibility sharing—an impressive leap from baseline figures (men: 27.2%, women: 21%). This shift was also evident among the younger generation, with 95% of boys and 96% of girls embracing equitable gender roles.
Economic Gains for Women
The WEACT project boosted women’s productivity and financial independence, with several cooperatives now saving at least GH¢2,000 per year. This economic improvement has provided women with better business opportunities and financial stability.
Government’s Endorsement and Call for Expansion
Ms. Vera Karikari, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, commended the project for dismantling barriers to women’s economic advancement and creating new opportunities, particularly at the grassroots level.
Similarly, Madam Paulina Addy, Director of Women in Agriculture at the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, praised the Canadian government for its financial backing and Oxfam Ghana for its execution of the initiative. She emphasized the need for stronger data systems to track women’s contributions to Ghana’s agricultural value chain.
Ms. Patience Appiah, a District Assembly Representative, highlighted the transformation in households, noting that women now understand their legal rights, and couples are adopting a more balanced approach to domestic responsibilities. Women have also gained skills in business negotiation, financial management, and entrepreneurship, resulting in greater financial and emotional stability in homes.
She urged Global Affairs Canada and Oxfam Ghana to extend the project to more remote communities, ensuring even more women benefit from its impact.
The WEACT Project’s achievements reflect a major step toward gender equality in Ghana, proving that targeted interventions can create lasting social and economic change. With growing support from traditional leaders, policymakers, and communities, women’s economic empowerment is steadily becoming a reality rather than a goal.
