Leveraging Baobab Trade for Rural Development: A Pathway to Poverty Alleviation in Rural Ghana

Samuel Akonga¹

Section:Research Paper, Product Type: Journal-Paper
Vol.10 , Issue.4 , pp.70-76, Apr-2024

Online published on Apr 30, 2024

Copyright © Samuel Akonga . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 

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Abstract :
Addressing poverty in rural Ghana is pivotal for sustainable development, where households grapple with basic needs amid limited resources. This study explores the transformative potential of Adansonia Digitata (baobab) in selected communities within the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region. Employing a mixed-method explanatory sequential design grounded in pragmatic perspectives, 296 participants were randomly sampled from a population of 1135, along with 10 key informants chosen through purposive sampling. The findings demonstrate that engagement in baobab-related activities contributes inclusively to both economic growth and the empowerment of marginalized community members, lifting them out of poverty. The revenue generated is instrumental in meeting essential household needs, including education and healthcare expenses. To enhance livelihoods and cultivate resilience, the research recommends significant government support in the form of grants and loans to facilitate the expansion of businesses within the baobab sector. Moreover, it suggests integrating the sector into skill development programs offered by institutions such as the National Board for Small Scale Industry (NBSSI). This integration aims to boost product value and innovation, ultimately fostering sustainable rural prosperity.

Key-Words / Index Term :
Baobab Trade, Rural Development, Poverty Alleviation, Economic Empowerment, Economic Diversification, Ecosystem, Dawadawa, Sheer trees

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