The complexity of local tenure systems: A smallholders' perspective on tenure in Ghana

For many decades, land tenure reforms have been high on the policy agenda of governments in SSA. One of the key drivers for this is the idea that simple land policy interventions could improve tenure security, which then could lead to more agricultural investment and higher agricultural productivity. Yet, land tenure interventions do not occur in a vacuum, but occur in the presence of customary tenure institutions. Based on qualitative field work in Ghana, we show that customary tenure is extremely diverse, complex and dynamic. There is a need for more recognition of this diversity and complexity by policy makers, development practitioners and researchers in order to design more effective and realistic land policy interventions.