A Contemporary Development Process in African Economies

The book begins with an analysis of economic transformation in Ghana and Nigeria, based on Sir William Arthur Lewis's dual-sector model. The phenomenon of labour migration from agriculture to non-agricultural sectors, driven by wage gaps and productivity growth, is examined. The study assesses sector contributions to income and employment, explores the gap between agricultural jobs and productivity, and considers diversifying farm labour into agro-processing. Next, the study examines the changing role of agriculture in Ghana and Nigeria, highlighting a complex transformation that challenges traditional development models. Chapter Three examines agricultural transformation in Ghana and Nigeria, underscoring the narrowing gap between agricultural employment shares and productivity, as measured by the Gross Agricultural Product (GAP). Chapter Four explores labour market changes in Ghana and Nigeria, highlighting that wholesale and retail trading are emerging as key non-farm employers for rural migrants. With an awareness of increasing competition for farmland, the final chapter therefore analyses the factors influencing food processing among Ghanaian farm households.