Understanding the socio-economic characteristics and perception of poverty in artisanal fisheries of Ghana. The Case of Kpong Reservoir

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

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.