Technische Universität München 1 Towards A Pro-poor Customary Land Rights Security In Rural Ghana: Land Tenure Inventory Using Mobile Application By Local Youth Presenting Author: Uchendu Eugene Chigbu Derek Osei Tutu 1, Lewis Abedi Asante 2, Michael Nti Appiah 3, Tobias Bendzko 1, Uchendu Eugene Chigbu 1 1.Chair of Land Management, Technical University of Munich, Germany. 2.Department of Estate Management, Kumasi Polytechnic, Kumasi, Ghana. 3.Public and Vested Land Management Division, Lands Commission, Accra, Ghana.

Technische Universität München 2 Content o The Problem o The Research o Case Study / Methodology o Findings / Outcomes o Challenges

Technische Universität München 3 Understanding the Problem in Ghana o Minimal participation of local people in mapping of land rights including pro-poor approaches tested in Ghana o Pro-poor Approaches to documenting land rights have not extensively been tested in Ghana’s complex pluralistic environment, especially customary areas o For mapping skilled surveyors and expensive tools like total stations DPT are used o High costs o Accuracy is preferred instead of coverage o Time consuming/bureaucratic approach

Technische Universität München 4 Why the Research? o A paradigm shift in land administration has necessitated attention towards pro-poor approaches to securing land rights within a continuum concept. o There is a dire need to scale up pro-poor approaches. o Most importantly, in rural areas of Africa where customary land rights prevail. o The objective of the research is to investigate the extent to which an inventory of customary land use right generated using a simple mobile application can promote tenure security of poor rural communities in Ghana.

Technische Universität München 5 Methodology -1 Qualitative Approach o Qualitative case study o Identified and selected a rural setting within a customary land tenure regime with clearly surveyed & demarcated boundaries. o Identified individual unmapped and unregistered parcels (farmlands). o Semi-structured interviews for purposively selected land owners on tenure security structures.

Technische Universität München 6 Methodology -2 o Samsung Tablet 3 (Android) o Samsung Smartphone (Android) o ISY Powerbank 6600 mAh o Acer Laptop (Win 7) o GNSS Devices (FLINT, Windows) o Software (Carlson GIS 360 app compatible with QGIS, ODK-Collect Data capture using mobile application by local youth

Technische Universität München 7 Methodology -3 Capacity Development and Training o Surveyor training: o 2-3 hours (including testing) o Post processing training: o Video tutorial (~ 1 hour) o Practical training (1-2 days)

Technische Universität München 8 Methodology -4 Mapping

Technische Universität München 9 Case Study

Technische Universität München 10 Summary of Findings Deed registration under Land Registry Act (Act 122) is the legally recognised land right recording system operating in the area. o No respondents documented their interest through this system. o It is expensive, bureaucratic and centralised. o So, they continue to use natural features (e.g. trees) to identify boundaries. o They enjoy perceived and de facto tenure security of tenure. o Eviction by the paramount Chiefs present the major threat to their tenure. o No records of land transaction with the Customary Land Secretariat

Technische Universität München 11 Outcome -1 Extent of land mapped o Number of parcels: 50 o Land use: agriculture o One fishing pond o Area: ~105ha (260 acres) o Boundary extent: 32 km o Walking distances: ~ 90km

Technische Universität München 12 Outcome -2 Potential Benefit o Land use certificate o Access to credit (Micro-finance) o Safeguard against Anti- eviction o Support Customary Land Administration

Technische Universität München 13 Cost Element

Technische Universität München 14 Mapping Challenges (Map problems)

Technische Universität München 15 Mapping Challenges (Logistic problems)

Technische Universität München 16 Towards A Pro-poor Customary Land Rights Security In Rural Ghana: Land Tenure Inventory Using Mobile Application By Local Youth NEED TO KNOW MORE? Dr Uchendu Eugene Chigbu ( | Skype: echigbu |