Women’s farmland access, household Income, and multidimensional livelihood outcomes in Northwest Ghana

Women are central to sub-Saharan African agriculture, yet gendered inequalities in land access constrain their livelihoods. This study examines the association of farmland access and income, food security, and livelihood diversification among 150 women beneficiaries of a land tenure advocacy initiative in Wa West District, Ghana. To address potential endogeneity, the study employs the Two-stage least square instrumental variable (2SLS-IV) technique, in addition to descriptive statistics in analysing the situation. Results demonstrate that access to farmland has a statistically significant positive relationship with agricultural income, household food security, and livelihood diversification. The descriptive statistics revealed that 34% of women with secure access to farmland engage in off-farm and non-farm activities, such as agro-processing and trading, driven by increased agricultural surpluses (57%) and economic stability. However, access remains largely mediated through husbands (69.2%) and informal customary arrangements (30%), with a persistent lack of formal documentation (92%). These findings suggest that enhancing women’s land rights is not merely an issue of equity but a critical driver of agricultural productivity and poverty reduction. The study provides empirical evidence supporting gender-responsive land governance. By addressing structural barriers to tenure security, policymakers can significantly enhance rural resilience and women’s economic empowerment in savannah ecosystems.