Governing land and indigene livelihoods in the peri-urban fringe: A case study of Kumasi, Ghana.

Abstract

Recent studies on the interface of and interdependence between urban and peri-urban spaces in developing countries, particularly in Africa have focused on their physical, environmental, and socio-demographic dimensions. Despite their critical influence, however, little is known about how parallel systems of customary and state institutions mediate this transition process through processes of land-use governance, and in turn, how these processes influence the lives and livelihoods of indigenes as the areas in which they live become urbanized. In the context of Kumasi, in Ghana, this research reveals the devastating effect that parallel institutional arrangements in land governance have had in disrupting and undermining the livelihoods of indigenes on the peri-urban fringe. Processes of peri-urbanization – which is overwhelmingly experienced as and characterized by the loss of land and traditional livelihoods opportunities for indigenes – are not led by the state or formal planning authorities but through customary institutions and processes. Under customary arrangements, it is the Chiefs who are the ultimate custodians of land for their people, and there are no formal means through which the State can make sure that access to this land (or to the profits from selling it) can be safeguarded or distributed among peri-urban indigenes. Peri-urbanization in Kumasi has therefore led to contested spaces in which the competing interests of individuals, private entities, state, and customary institutions are at stake. While the peri-urbanization process has led to winners and losers in Kumasi, it is the peri-urban indigenes who have lost the most. The indigenes who own or control other forms of livelihood assets have been able to utilize the opportunities offered by urban growth. Yet most resource-poor indigene households have lost their farm-based livelihoods as land has been converted from agricultural to non-agricultural uses, making it difficult to take advantage of any opportunities created by urban growth. Since the customary institutions have failed to share or invest land revenue effectively in ways that address the concerns of the resource-poor indigenes, many indigenes who are unable to adopt new livelihood strategies have resorted to the religious bodies for spiritual and financial support. The empirical evidence here demonstrates some research agendas of wider significance. Firstly, it shows the ‘power blindness’ of the mainstream livelihoods framework and suggests ways to bridge that gap. Secondly, all this plays out in the peri-urban space, where the fast changing and complex relations bring new insights into vulnerability & resilience among the indigene population in particular.

Date of Award	2 Feb 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Joe Ravetz (Supervisor) & Nicola Banks (Supervisor)