Understanding the link between customary land governance and land-use changes of green spaces in peri-urban Kumasi, Ghana

Rapid urbanization in Africa has caused an increase in land demand and peri – urbanization. In Ghana, the growth of cities has engulfed surrounding green spaces in the peri-urban, undermining the ability of ecosystems to cope with natural disasters brought by climate change. Land – governance in Ghana has been inadequate in dealing with the loss of green spaces that have been caused by land-use change. The situation is complicated by the dual land tenure system, where customary land governance works side by side with statutory land planning. The main objective of this research is to elucidate the effect of customary land governance in land-use change patterns of green spaces in peri-urban Kumasi, Ghana. In line with this, the study aims to explain customary perception, regulations, institutions, and processes at play in governing green areas of peri-urban Kumasi, Ghana.

The research aims to achieve the objective by answering the research question: “How does customary land governance affect land-use change patterns of green spaces in peri-urban Kumasi, Ghana?” Key concepts such as peri – urbanization, land – tenure, customary land tenure, green spaces, and land governance were reviewed, conceptualized, and operationalized. The research utilized a qualitative case study to answer the research question. The peri-urban districts of Asokore Mampong and Kwabre East were selected due to proximity to Kumasi, the amount of greenery, population density, and land – size. The research data collection methods were purposive semi-structured interviews, secondary data analysis, photo documentation, field visits, and GIS analysis.

The findings indicate that customary processes and institutions have situated customary chiefs in a position without accountability to influence land-use change of green spaces directly. Moreover, customary chiefs commonly practice commissioning state actors and third – party surveyors to draft plans and initiate land-use changes of green spaces and customary land. Recommendations for further research were made for the quantitative aspect of the study, exploring other drivers of land-use change of green spaces, and adopting the research on other peri-urban regions.