The Factors and Actors Engaged in Land Transaction Arrangement and Commoditization in Africa: an Example From the Bolgatanga Municipality of Northern Ghana

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Abstract Increase in multiple demands for land in Africa has been affected by increased global food and energy requirements together with population growth. This has in turn led to large-scale acquisition of lands for agriculture by foreigners and wealthy local investors. Small holder farmers are at risk of losing their lands to the investors even if they receive government support. What the African indigenous tradition has seen to be a gift of God to man is now commoditized. This often marginalizes the local people, undermines their livelihood. Information on the factors and actors in land commoditization is inadequate and often withheld. The paper sets out to identify these actors and factors. The Bolga Municipality is used as an example because the area carries all the characteristics that can be found throughout most of Africa. Data was gathered using key informant interviews, focus discussion and secondary sources. The findings of the study reveal the following factors which urge people to sell their lands: The need to pay school fees, people’s desire to build and live in decent houses, the need to expense money to uphold the tradition of resplendently celebrating funerals or to raise funds for the dowry of a bride, the fact that owners of small land parcels are often unemployed. To solve the issues better information on the issue is needed as well as purposeful job-creation to decrease unemployment and socially adequate mortgages. If the government does not take up the problem, social cohesion will fall apart.

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