It is all about livelihoods: A study of women working in stone chip production in Cape Coast Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

Outcrops of granite in several localities in the urban and peri-urban fringes of Cape Coast Municipality in Ghana have led to stone chip production becoming a major livelihood strategy for vulnerable and poor women. Previously, this work was primarily carried out by men, but today female workers dominate the workforce, and increasingly it is seen as a way for women to seek a viable living in conditions which are otherwise marginalized and poor in economic terms. The demand for stone chips has increased with the high demand for construction materials for housing in the town of Cape Coast. However, the women's choice of livelihoods strategy (stone cutting) prevents them from gaining other experiences from more lucrative processes. Hence, as stone cutters, they are disadvantaged within the increasingly commercialized economy. Against this background it can be argued that a feminization of poverty is taking place. The data for the study were derived through structured and unstructured interviews, focus group discussions and direct observation, and analysed according to a livelihoods framework.

Keywords:

• feminization of poverty
• livelihoods
• stone cutters

Acknowledgements

We appreciate the assistance of Chamila Attanapola for providing a bibliography of relevant literature on livelihoods and Catriona Turner for help with the language and formatting.

Notes

1. The study presented in this paper is part of a larger project undertaken by the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). It explores what characterizes poverty in Ghana and whether there is a feminization of poverty taking place. Accordingly, the situation of women in several ‘sites of poverty’ is explored: women's health in impoverished areas, women and palm kernel oil production, female market porters, and female stone cutters.

2. Even though some seasonal fishermen have boats, these are too small and too poorly equipped to go into deep water. Coastal fishing has become less profitable because of overfishing.

3. When percentages are used, we refer back to the survey data (N = 40).

4. However, it goes beyond the scope of this study to gauge the degree of ‘feminization’ in a longer term perspective, as this would require a more elaborate investigation into the broader context of change over time, including conditions experienced by men.