Compulsory land acquisition and livelihood adaptation along the western corridor gas infrastructure development project in Ghana

Abstract

The study investigated compulsory land acquisition for the Western Corridor Gas Infrastructure Project and livelihood adaptation within Nzema East Municipality and Ellembelle District in Ghana. A mixed methods research approach was adopted. Data was collected using interview schedule and interview guide. Analysis of data involved the application of descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and thematic analysis. The study found that displaced persons largely used the cash compensation in consumption of basic needs; farm was the main livelihood strategy for displaced persons, and fifty one percent of displaced persons could not submit their land compensation claims. The major challenges facing compulsory land acquisition were: multiple claims to parcel(s) of land, inadequate knowledge about the acquisition before the work began, non-completion of the legal processes, delay in the payment of compensation, and delay in the adjudication of land disputes. The study concludes that both the project affected persons and acquiring agency encountered challenges. It is, therefore, recommended that the Lands Commission should improve upon the decision-making processes on the expropriation order, enhance the sensitization of project affected persons on the acquisition processes, and also educate the displaced persons on the channels for reporting challenges.