There is a worldwide perception that large number of small-scale fishers, especially in Africa, live in poverty. We applied a mixed-methods of interview, catch assessment and observation to understand the socio-economic characteristics and perception of poverty in artisanal fisheries of Kpong Reservoir of Ghana. Specifically, we asked the following questions: What are the socio-economic characteristics of the fishing communities in terms of age, education, household sizes and fishing experience? What is the distribution of fishing costs and household expenses? What is the perception of poverty in terms of understanding, nature and causes? Results of the study show that the socio-economic characteristics of the fishers around the reservoir are quite similar.
However, they differ in terms of income and household expenditures. Dominant gears used consist of purse seine and gill nets. This study also revealed that fishers have an in-depth perception and knowledge about poverty in the fishing communities; and that it is multi-dimensional in nature other than soley from lack of income. From the study, fishers were able to identify the most vulnerable groups to poverty in the communities.
Keywords: socio-economics; small-scale fisheries; poverty; reservoir; Kpong
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Study area
2.1. Kpong
2.2. Small London
3. Methods
3.1. Data collection and analysis
3.1.1. Data collection interviews
3.1.2. Data collection catch assessment
3.1.3. Data collection observation
4. Results and Discussions
4.1. Socio-economic characteristics
4.2. Fishing activities
4.3. Catch assessment
4.4. Household expenditure
4.5. Income
4.6. Distribution of fishing costs
4.7. Perception, understanding and causes of poverty
5. Conclussion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this study is to analyze the socio-economic conditions and the perception of poverty among artisanal fishers in the Kpong Reservoir region of Ghana, aiming to provide baseline data for better-informed poverty intervention policies.
- Socio-economic profiling of fishing households (age, education, experience).
- Analysis of economic factors including household expenditures and income distribution.
- Investigation into the multidimensional nature and causes of poverty from the perspective of the fishers.
- Evaluation of the impact of fishing gear choice on vulnerability to poverty.
Excerpt from the Book
4.7. Perception, understanding and causes of poverty
Results from the study indicate that 50% of the fishers around the reservoir have other sources of income apart from fishing. During the 1st and 2nd quarters of the year, a fisher earned a weekly average income of GH¢ 36 and 24, respectively. This is an indication that income poverty among the fishers was not due to lack of income and alternative income sources. The reason is that most fishers are not able to mobilize their earnings properly and lack the culture of saving and investment (Chief Fisherman Small London, pers. comm.).
From Table 7, respondents’ perception of poverty appeared to be generally revolved around lack of money/means of livelihood/ poor standard of living, lack of self-empowerment and suffering/hunger/ill-health. They appeared to concentrate more on lack of money/means of livelihood/ poor standard of living (68%) and lack of self-empowerment (17%). Respondents’ understanding of poverty was not limited to lack of money alone. A sizeable part of the population of fishers understood poverty to mean lack of self-empowerment and suffering/hunger/ill-health. This result is in line with the ever-increasing widely held view of poverty as multi-dimensional in nature other than income (Macfadyen and Corcoran, 2002). The other concepts of poverty in terms of powerlessness and social exclusion where not expressed by respondents.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Discusses the global importance of small-scale fisheries and outlines the research objectives regarding socio-economic conditions in the Kpong Reservoir area.
2. Study area: Provides a detailed description of the Kpong and Small London communities, highlighting their geographical and infrastructural context within the Volta basin.
3. Methods: Explains the mixed-methods approach utilized, including interviews, catch assessments, and observations conducted throughout 2009.
4. Results and Discussions: Presents findings on demographics, fishing activities, income patterns, and the fishers' unique perceptions and definitions of poverty.
5. Conclussion: Synthesizes the study's findings and suggests that poverty reduction policies should adopt a bottom-up approach focusing on vulnerable groups like those using spear and trap fishing.
Keywords
socio-economics, small-scale fisheries, poverty, reservoir, Kpong, artisanal fishing, income, livelihood, household expenditure, fishing gear, Ghana, Volta basin, poverty alleviation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The research examines the socio-economic characteristics and the perceptions of poverty among artisanal fishers residing in the Kpong Reservoir region in Ghana.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The study covers household demographics, income sources, expenditure patterns, fishing practices, and the multidimensional perceptions of poverty held by the fishing community.
What is the main objective of the study?
The primary objective is to understand the socio-economic background and poverty perceptions of fishers to provide baseline data that can assist in designing effective social and poverty intervention policies.
Which scientific methodology was applied?
A mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating structured interviews, fishery catch assessments, and participant observation to gather comprehensive primary data.
What topics are analyzed in the main body?
The main body details socio-economic characteristics, fishing activity patterns, catch compositions, household expenditure, income variations, and the causes of poverty as identified by the participants.
Which keywords best describe this work?
Key terms include socio-economics, small-scale fisheries, poverty, reservoir, Kpong, and sustainable livelihoods.
How does the choice of fishing gear relate to poverty?
The study reveals that fishers using specific gears, such as spears and traps, are more vulnerable to poverty, often because these are less efficient and indicate a lack of investment capital.
Why is the "bottom-up" approach important for policy?
The findings suggest that standard top-down policies often miss the nuances of how poor fishers perceive their own situation; therefore, incorporating local, bottom-up perspectives is essential for effective poverty reduction.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Berchie Asiedu (Autor:in), 2011, Understanding the socio-economic characteristics and perception of poverty in artisanal fisheries of Ghana. The Case of Kpong Reservoir, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/165448
