Poverty among fisher-folk and crop - based farmer households in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem district in the Central Region Ghana

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine poverty levels among fisher-folk and crop- based farmer households in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem District (KEEA) in the Central Region of Ghana using cross-sectional survey. The study was significant as the result could help identify factors that influenced poverty among the fisher-folk and crop-based farmer households. The population of the study was fisher-folk and crop-based farmer households in the District. The sample was chosen using simple random sampling technique. Documentary analysis was used to estimate the poverty line and participatory appraisal was used to determine the poverty levels. Descriptive methods, cross tabulations, chi-square and regression were used in data analysis. Collectively; income, education, health and number of people in various occupations accounted for about 46.80 percent of the variances in poverty line. Significant statistical associations were also found between poverty levels and the socio-economic characteristics of poor fisher-folks and poor crop based farmer households. Poverty was also found to be more intense among fisher-folk than among crop-based farmer households in the target communities. To design a good poverty alleviation programme, it is recommended that attention be paid to the socio-economic characteristics of the poor. Further studies to identify some other factors (besides income, education, health and number of people in various occupations) that could influence poverty line in the target community are recommended.