Digitalised Participatory Land Administration and Peasant Livelihoods: Tools for Community Empowerment, Western Region-Ghana

Abstract

This study, conducted in the Ellembelle District of Ghana's Western Region—a hub of oil and gas activities, examines the land transfer deal between local communities and the ENI oil exploratory company. The research focuses on the level of participatory land administration, the impact on peasant livelihoods, and the relationship between participatory land administration and livelihood outcomes. A total of 300 beneficiaries of the ENI Livelihood Restoration Plan were randomly selected for the study. Data analysis employed frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, correlation, and ordinary least square regression. The findings reveal that respondents perceived the level of the digitalised participatory land administration process as inadequate, with low ratings for land policies, institutional arrangements, and land information. In contrast, the level of peasant livelihoods after the land transfer was rated as moderately high concerning livelihood assets, resilience to vulnerability, and risk management strategies. A positive and moderate correlation was found between the level of peasant livelihoods and land policies, while a positive but low correlation was observed between livelihoods and demographic factors such as sex, age, educational level, and capacity training. Notably, the study identifies that 97% of the variation in peasant livelihoods can be attributed to a combination of factors, including sex, age, educational level, skill development programmes, and land policy. These findings have significant implications for designing and implementing participatory land administration initiatives aimed at enhancing peasant livelihoods in the context of large-scale land acquisitions.