Participation of women in the root and tuber improvement programme and its perceived influence on household food security in the Western region of Ghana

Abstract

To examine and assess the perceived level and factors related to women's participation in RTIP since it was launched in 1999, a descriptive-correlational study was designed to examine the perception of women and AEAs on women's participation in RTIP and its perceived influence on household food security. One hundred and twenty (120) women and 30 AEAs involved in RTIP were randomly selected from three (3) RTIP implementing districts namely; Bibiani-AnhwiasoBekwai, Mpohor Wassa East and Shama Ahanta East in the Western Region for the study. The women were interviewed using content validated interview schedules and the AEAs completed a set of questionnaire. Data obtained were analysed using the computer software, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Windows 10.0). Descriptive statistics involving frequencies, percentages, and means were computed to describe the data Correlation statistics (Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficients) were used to determine the relationship between the level of women's participation in RTIP activities and factors related to women's participation (independent variables and the dependent variables for the study). Finally, a stepwise multiple regression analysis was run to determine the best predictors of women's participation. Results from the analysis of the data revealed that, the level of women's participation in RTIP activities was generally very low in the selected districts. The level of women's participation in RTIP activities had significant and positive relationships with awareness of RTIP (r=0.248 ; p<0.05), the level of education (r=0.239; p<0.05), tangibility of benefits (r=0.301; p<0.05) and the extent of participation (r=0.544; p<0.05). The predictors of women's attitudes towards participation in RTIP were found to be the extent of participation and tangibility of benefits. These two factors explained 30% (R2 = .302) of the variance in women's participation in RTIP. Women in RTIP believed that, important factors that facilitated their participation were involvement in training/workshops/seminars, involvement in programme implementation and tangibility of benefits. Factors that limited women's participation were poverty, access to extension/training, access to credits/funds, and access/high cost of labour. Women also believed that increasing their awareness in RTIP, encouraging them to participate in FLP/RTIP activities, and regular extension services/training would go a long way to enhance their level of participation in RTIP. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations among others were made: a. Women should be involved in all aspects of RTIP activities. b. District and Metropolitan Assemblies should support women with soft loans from the Poverty Alleviation Fund to expand their RTIP businesses. c. Women should be encouraged to form groups to enable them access soft loans from banks and other resources such as land from community/family heads and labour through associations and labour pools.