Groundnut processing and women's economic empowerment: Insights from a qualitative analysis

There is a growing recognition of the vital role that women play as the backbone of agricultural and small-scale processing activities. Women's empowerment has become central to international development, which emphasizes gender equality as both a human right and a driver of economic growth and sustainable development. This study focuses on Northern Ghana, a region with significant reliance on groundnut processing as a livelihood activity. Northern Ghana was chosen due to its distinct socio-economic and cultural context, where women's economic contributions remain underexplored, and therefore, offers valuable insights into the interplay between gender, economic infrastructure, and empowerment. Using a phenomenological research approach, 42 qualitative interviews and 20 focus group discussions (FGDs) (involving 161 respondents) were conducted. The findings reveal that despite limited access to improved processing infrastructure, women's engagement in groundnut processing contributes to notable improvements in key dimensions of women's empowerment, including increased access to income, input into decision-making processes, the ability to save, asset acquisition, enhanced freedom of movement, social recognition, improved self-worth, group association formation, and overall economic well-being. The practical implications of this study extend to policymakers and development practitioners by stressing the transformative role of targeted investments in processing infrastructure. Such interventions will improve women's livelihoods and strengthen community resilience, and promote equitable development. This research provides evidence-based insights that offer actionable recommendations to support gender-focused development strategies and contribute to the broader discourse on women's empowerment.