Effects of Action Aid, Ghana land reclamation programme on food production in the Ga West Municipality of the Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Abstract

The Ga West Municipality was formally serving as a food basket of Accra but now, has become a net importer of all kinds of food. This issue has surfaced due to the high rate of sand winning and estate development activities. The study assessed the effects of the Action Aid Ghana land reclamation programme on food security and the livelihood of the people in the Ga West Municipality in the Greater Accra Region, Ghana. Interview schedule was used for collecting data from a sample of one hundred clients of Action Aid Ghana in Ga West Municipality. The study revealed that residents believe farming creates a sustainable income and therefore more lucrative than sand winning which only brings bulk amount of money for a short period. It was also found that farming can help solve food related issues and ensure food security rather than sand winning activities. It may be concluded that sand winning activities has made Ga West Municipality to become a net importer of all kinds of food. It can also be concluded that the reclamation exercise by Action Aid Ghana resulted in increase in food production and a better livelihood of the people. It is recommended that Action Aid Ghana and other NGOs should carry out the exercise in other communities and regions where sand winning is on the rampant. Also, Sand contractors as well as land owners should be given proper education by the EPA on the reclamation of land and its effects on food security.