Investigating The Barriers to Women Farmers’ Access to Agricultural Extension Services in Ghana: A Case of Gomoa Duodukwa in The Gomoa East District

Abstract

This study investigates the barriers affecting women farmers’ access to agricultural extension services in Gomoa Duodukwa, located in Ghana’s Gomoa East District. Despite women’s crucial role in agricultural production and rural livelihoods, their participation in extension programmes remains limited due to structural, institutional, and socio-cultural constraints. Guided by the Gender and Development (GAD) Theory and the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) Theory, the study adopted a qualitative research design to explore the lived experiences of women farmers and extension officers. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. Findings revealed that institutional weaknesses such as inadequate staffing, limited funding, and poor communication infrastructure significantly hinder women’s engagement with extension services. Socio-cultural norms, including patriarchal decision-making structures, time poverty, and gendered household roles, further restrict women’s participation and access to agricultural information. Additionally, women’s lack of land ownership and limited access to credit constrain their eligibility for extension support and training. However, the study also identified locally driven strategies for improvement, including the recruitment of more female extension officers, gender-sensitive training schedules, and the use of local languages in communication. The study concludes that equitable and gender-responsive extension delivery requires both structural reform and community-level behavioural change. It recommends increased institutional support, enhanced gender training for officers, and stronger collaboration with women’s groups and NGOs to ensure inclusive agricultural development.