Indigenous knowledge on 'siella' and its role in the farming systems of northern Ghana

An informal survey covering 32 villages in the Northern, Upper East, and Upper West Regions and involving over 250 men, women, and children was conducted to ascertain the indigenous knowledge on 'siella', a soil type licked by domestic animals and wild life. Samples of the soil were collected in several locations and analyzed for available macro- and micro-mineral content. The soil was found to be alkaline. Sodium and potassium content was 10-15 times higher than that in ordinary soils of the zone. Variation in mineral content was high across locations ranging from 0.0 to 6.83 mg/kg for phosphorus, and 64.97 to 7,485.5 mg/kg for calcium. The soils were found to be totally devoid of phosphorus in locations within the Upper West, and micro-mineral concentration was low in all locations. The soil is well known in the northern part of Ghana and is believed to play a vital role in the health and productivity of animals. Cows on 'siella' give birth to heavier calves and milk better. The soil has curative properties and stops diarrhoea. It is also believed to give good health and strength to aged humans. Ghana Jnl.agric. Sci Vol.32(1), 1999: 59-6

Women’s Bigger Burden : Disparities in Outcomes of Large Scale Land Acquisition in Sierra Leone

Women farmers make up a majority of small-scale food producers in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite their important role in the food and livelihood security of their households and communities, women continue to face substantial challenges in their rights of and access to land resources in the region. In a number of countries such as Sierra Leone where large-scale land acquisition is ongoing, we posit that women’s predicament may further deteriorate. Using data drawn from a survey of household and livelihood activities, focus groups and interviews we examine the outcomes of large-scale land acquisitions on women at the local level in two districts in Sierra Leone. We found that first, women depend more on land-based natural resources that directly affect the day-to-day welfare of households (such as firewood and medicinal plants) than men. Second, land acquisitions have led to a significant fall in the incomes of women and men. The effects of the fall of women’s income have more direct and profound consequences on household wellbeing compared with men. Third, men tend to rank the effects of land acquisitions on women lower than women do. We conclude that current social and cultural norms and women’s role in rural societies is complex and predisposes women to negative livelihood processes and outcomes associated with large-scale land acquisitions. Policy interventions designed to address local and national challenges to socio-economic and cultural development should recognize the crucial role played by women and be responsive to their special needs