Farming in the shadow of the city: Changes in land rights and livelihoods in peri-urban Accra

Contending perspectives have interpreted the impact of rapid growth in periurban areas in very different ways. One school of thought characterises periurban growth as leading to the development of new markets and the conversion of property rights, in such a way as to transform the local economy, leading to greater entrepreneurialism, higher rates of growth and improved human welfare. Another sees the destruction of agricultural livelihoods without their replacement by any alternative economic activity. This paper compares four cases within the peri-urban periphery of Greater Accra, and assesses the impact of the urban sprawl on them. The cases highlight the loss of land to housing, the protection of agricultural land from urban sprawl, environmental degradation and the commercialisation of peri-urban agriculture. Evidence is found for both perspectives, but considerably more for the second view. Policies to mitigate the worst impacts of urbanisation are suggested.